how do I compare data in Exel spreadsheets?

[Guest]

I have two workbooks. I need a formula that will: Look for a specific
reference in a selection of cells, check to see if there is a value in
another selectoin of cells that is connected to the first selection, if there
is a value in the second selection, return THAT value into a specific cell.

Something like:
Look at worksheet b, If X = X then look at column n, copy value y from
column n into column z of worksheet a.

 

[Guest]

Try using the VLOOKUP function.

 

[Guest]

I tied that. The problem with vlookup is that it uses the row numbers as the
reference points, not the values in the cells that are MY reference numbers.
I need something like vlookup with more flexibility!!

But thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Dave Peterson]

Maybe =index(match())

You may want to look at the formula tips that Debra Dalgleish shares:
http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html
and
http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions03.html

(The top link is for =vlookup().)