I have read the instructions and have tried creating a lookup table. But nothing seems to work. It would be nice to have an actual example that does not take a computer geek to understand. I know what I want it to do, but the instructions don't seem to function as expected.
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Nicholas,
If you describe your desired use, we can give you a specific example.
Jerry
Nicholas,
If you describe your desired use, we can give you a specific example.
Jerry
Here is an example of a vertical lookup:
The function VLOOKUP uses three, with an optional 4th, variable.
=VLOOKUP(search-for,columns-range,return-column,)
Search-for: is a either a value (normally a numeric value but maybe other types as well) which is used as a key. The optional 4th parameter allows for exact match or closest match
columns-range: is a block of cells (the orange ones) that contain the key column and 1 or more additional columns with values to return.
return-column selects which column is to contain the return value of the corresponding row as the key.
When you perform a vertical lokup you search through the first column for the "search-value" or key. When you find and exact match (or closest value, depending on the 4th parameter) the value in the same row but in the requested column is returned.
I Hope this helps
Thanks Wayne. That was exactly what I needed. Most verbal or written instructions do not make it easy to follow. But your directions and very clear example was right on. I put the lookup together and it worked like a charm.
Thanks again.
Nick
Nicholas,
I'm glad that Wayne's explanation worked for you. There are three different LOOKUP functions and in addition INDEX and OFFSET can be used to reference data in a "lookup" table. Which is best depends on the kind of data you have and how it is arranged, so I hesitate to give advice without seeing the application.
Good luck with your project.
Jerry
Lookup tables simplified with examples
