Vlookup function question

SL · Sep 16, 2005

I am using two spreadsheets. Both spreadsheets have last name and first
names of students from our school. I am trying to lookup the student numbers
from one spreadsheet and populate to the other. I can do it just fine except
when there are duplicate last names. Does anyone know how to lookup more
than just one column on duplicate last names. Example, Williams (last name)
tons of them, I need Excel to look at Williams and first name (Jane) before
returning the student number.

Thanks. SL

Biff · Sep 16, 2005

Hi!

Maybe this:

=SUMPRODUCT(--(A1:A100="last_name"),--(B1:B100="first_name"),C1:C100)

OR....

Redo your lookup table so that the first column includes both
lastname,firstname

OR....

Assume lookup table is such:

Column A = lastname
Column B = firstname
Column C = student number

D1 = Williams
E1 = Venus

=INDEX(C1:C100,MATCH(D1&E1,A1:A100&B1:B100,0))

Array entered using the key combo of CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER.

Biff

Bob Phillips · Sep 16, 2005

You can do it with INDEX/MATCH like so

=INDEX(Sheet2!A1:A1000,MATCH(B1&C1,Sheet2!B1:B1000&Sheet2!C1:C1000,0))

obviously adjust the ranges to suit your data

malik641 · Sep 16, 2005

Here's one way, though it's not the best:

=INDEX(Sheet1!A1:C10,MATCH(A1,Sheet1!A1:A10,0)+MATCH(B1,Sheet1!B1:B10,0)-1,3)

In sheet one:
Last names are in column A
First names are in column B
Student numbers are in column C

In sheet2:
Last name is in A1
First name is in B1
Formula is in C1

...Still working on it. But let me know how that one works for ya.

malik641 · Sep 16, 2005

I don't know if anyone noticed but that INDEX function:

=INDEX(Sheet1!C1:C10,MATCH(A1&B1,Sheet1!A1:A10&Sheet1!B1:B10,0))
Entered with Ctrl+Shift+Enter

Actually gives you the student number AFTER the one you want (at leas
that's what's happening to me).

It could be corrected by:

=INDEX(Sheet1!C1:C10,MATCH(A1&B1,Sheet1!A1:A10&Sheet1!B1:B10,0)-1)
Entered with Ctrl+Shift+Ente

malik641 · Sep 16, 2005

Oops! Nevermind, my fault.

Didn't realize I left the Exact match out of the MATCH function in my
spreadsheeet....der

Sorry about that

SL · Sep 16, 2005

Biff,

Thank you for your reply. I tried the index but I got #value! error. In
your example:
lookup table:
column A = last name
Column B = first name
Column C = Student Id

then you used D1 = williams
E1 = Venus
Here is where I was confused. Venus williams say would be the student I am
looking up to find the student id. So my wks#2 has a list of last name and
first name say :
Column A = Last name (ex:williams)
Column B = first name (ex:Venus)

I put the function in wks#2 column C1
=index([wks#1]C1:C100,match(A1&B1,[wk#1]A1:A100&B1:B100,0))

I got a #value!

What went wrong??? Am I messing up the function?

Thanks for your help Biff
SL

SL · Sep 16, 2005

Malik641:

I tried this
=INDEX([WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$C$424,MATCH(A7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$A$424,0)+MATCH(B7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$B$1:$B$424,0))-13

got an #N/A error--what does that mean? It would not allow me to end my
function in -1,3) like you suggested. It changed it to -13???

the wve1_passwords2 is the lookup table with the lastname (A), firstname
(B), and student ids (C) in it. and the wve1_users is the sheet name.

Thanks for all your help. Any other ideas?? I know it is close but I am
just missing something maybe syntax?

shaunna

Biff · Sep 16, 2005

Hi!

I put the function in wks#2 column C1
=index([wks#1]C1:C100,match(A1&B1,[wk#1]A1:A100&B1:B100,0))

I got a #value!

Type this formula:

=INDEX(Sheet1!C1:C100,MATCH(A1&B1,Sheet1!A1:A100&Sheet1!B1:B100,0))

Replace Sheet1 with your actual sheet name.

Now, when you're done typing the formula INSTEAD of hitting the enter key
hold down the CTRL key and the SHIFT key then hit ENTER. When done properly
Excel will place squiggly braces { } around the formula. The braces denote
an array formula. You cannot just type the braces, you MUST use the key
combo of CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER.

Biff

SL said:
Biff,

Thank you for your reply. I tried the index but I got #value! error. In
your example:
lookup table:
column A = last name
Column B = first name
Column C = Student Id

then you used D1 = williams
E1 = Venus
Here is where I was confused. Venus williams say would be the student I
am
looking up to find the student id. So my wks#2 has a list of last name
and
first name say :
Column A = Last name (ex:williams)
Column B = first name (ex:Venus)

I put the function in wks#2 column C1
=index([wks#1]C1:C100,match(A1&B1,[wk#1]A1:A100&B1:B100,0))

I got a #value!

What went wrong??? Am I messing up the function?

Thanks for your help Biff
SL

Biff said:

Hi!

Maybe this:

=SUMPRODUCT(--(A1:A100="last_name"),--(B1:B100="first_name"),C1:C100)

OR....

Redo your lookup table so that the first column includes both
lastname,firstname

OR....

Assume lookup table is such:

Column A = lastname
Column B = firstname
Column C = student number

D1 = Williams
E1 = Venus

=INDEX(C1:C100,MATCH(D1&E1,A1:A100&B1:B100,0))

Array entered using the key combo of CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER.

Biff

Click to expand...

kk · Sep 17, 2005

=INDEX([WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$C$424,MATCH(A7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$A$424,0)+MATCH(B7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$B$1:$B$424,0)-1,3)

Malik641:

I tried this:
=INDEX([WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$C$424,MATCH(A7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$A$424,0)+MATCH(B7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$B$1:$B$424,0))-13

got an #N/A error--what does that mean? It would not allow me to end my
function in -1,3) like you suggested. It changed it to -13???

the wve1_passwords2 is the lookup table with the lastname (A), firstname
(B), and student ids (C) in it. and the wve1_users is the sheet name.

Thanks for all your help. Any other ideas?? I know it is close but I am
just missing something maybe syntax?

shaunna

SL · Sep 20, 2005

Dear KK,

Excel accepted the formula you listed below but I get a #N/A. Any possible
problems I can research? What does the 0)-1,3 at the end of the function
mean?

thanks for the help
SL

kk said:
=INDEX([WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$C$424,MATCH(A7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$A$424,0)+MATCH(B7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$B$1:$B$424,0)-1,3)

Malik641:

I tried this:
=INDEX([WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$C$424,MATCH(A7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$A$1:$A$424,0)+MATCH(B7,[WVE1_passwords2.xls]WVE1_USERS!$B$1:$B$424,0))-13

got an #N/A error--what does that mean? It would not allow me to end my
function in -1,3) like you suggested. It changed it to -13???

the wve1_passwords2 is the lookup table with the lastname (A), firstname
(B), and student ids (C) in it. and the wve1_users is the sheet name.

Thanks for all your help. Any other ideas?? I know it is close but I am
just missing something maybe syntax?

shaunna

malik641 said:

Here's one way, though it's not the best:

=INDEX(Sheet1!A1:C10,MATCH(A1,Sheet1!A1:A10,0)+MATCH(B1,Sheet1!B1:B10,0)-1,3)

In sheet one:
Last names are in column A
First names are in column B
Student numbers are in column C

In sheet2:
Last name is in A1
First name is in B1
Formula is in C1

...Still working on it. But let me know how that one works for ya.

Click to expand...

Ingrid · Sep 21, 2005

Try this:

Add to both spreadsheet a colomn and combine the first and last nam
together (=A1&B1). If you need more information just add them to you
combination. You can then use your VLOOKUP again. Works like a charm

SL · Sep 21, 2005

Ingrid,

Thank you for the tip. It did work. One other question. What is the
function to clear all spaces after the name? Example: JamesSarah# (where #
equals space)

SL

Chip Pearson · Sep 21, 2005

Use the TRIM function. E.g.,

=TRIM(A1)

--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com

Vlookup function question

SL

Biff

Bob Phillips

malik641

malik641

malik641

SL

SL

Biff

kk

SL

Ingrid

SL

Chip Pearson