Lookup function

[fcociii]

I have created a lookup function to determine salary per individual based on
receipts. It works properly, but the resulting number representing salary is
not reading as a value. I need to be able to use the sum function to
determine the cumulative value of each persons salary and benefits, and then
the sum function to move the total into the budget as an expense item. The
salary (which is created by the lookup function) is not being added to my
total sums. Is there some way to get the lookup number to read or behave as a
real number? Thank you.

 

[Gary''s Student]

If your lookup is something like:

=VLOOKUP()

try

=--VLOOKUP()

 

[Frustrated]

I've seen the =-- in a number of places, dealing with VLOOKUP and simple
formulas. What exactly does adding the =-- in front of items do?

P.S. Wow, I learn a lot in this forum...thank to everyone who contributes!!!