Look up function--HELP!

[Guest]

I need help! I am trying to find the function (I think it is look-up
function) that will return a name in a cell when I type a number in another
cell. For example:
I type in the number 1 in cell A2 I want it to refer to a list of numbers
and in cell B2 return the corresponding name for that number. Can anyone
help?
I have a list of member numbers and names; I want to be able to type in the
member number and have the name automatically pop up in the adjacent cell.
Thanks!

 

[Chip Pearson]

Most likely, you want to use the VLOOKUP function. See Help for
more details.


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

 

[Guest]

Barb, two ways to approach this:

1. LOOKUP function:
Assume column A is where you will enter the number and column B is where you
want the result.

In B1 enter:

=IF(ISERROR(LOOKUP(A1,{1,2,3,4,5;"A","B","C","D","E"})),"",LOOKUP(A1,{1,2,3,4,5;"A","B","C","D","E"}))

Copy the formula down as many rows in column B as necessary. As you can see,
this can get unwieldly if you have a long list of names.

2. VLOOKUP function:

In an empty column (D for example) enter the numbers. In the next empty
column (E) enter the names next to the numbers.

Assume column A is where you will enter the number and column B is where you
want the result.

In B1 enter:

=IF(ISERROR(VLOOKUP(A3,$D$1:$E$5,2,FALSE)),"",VLOOKUP(A3,$D$1:$E$5,2,FALSE))

Copy that formula down as many rows in column B as necessary.

HTH

 

[Hal]

Sorry - the formula is of course in cell D4

Try using the Index and Match Functions instead of lookup: