How to derive cell info from a lookup

[Joe V]

Hello all,

Using Excel 97, I need to search a range for a value
stored elsewhere in the workbook, and return the column
number where found, instead of the actual value (for use
as the column_index argument of a subsequent vlookup). I
can find the value with an HLOOKUP, but cannot figure out
how to return the column index instead of the value. have
tried COLUMN(HLOOKUP(etc...)), CELL("col",HLOOKUP
(etc...)), and various additional text functions in hopes
of converting the HLOOKUP result to a cell reference, all
in vain. Anyone have an idea?

Thanks,
Joe V

 

[Niek Otten]

Hi Joe,

Use the MATCH() function. See HELP for details.

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Kind Regards,

Niek Otten

Microsoft MVP - Excel

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
try using MATCH instead
e.g.
=MATCH("value",A1:X1,0)