Lookup row and columbn using text for both

[kensmith]

I'm not sure if this is possible, but I supposed everything is with Excel.

I want to create a lookup formula using text for the row and column. I know
i can use a vlookup or hlookup and use text as the first parameter, but you
are required to put in a # for the column or row depending on the formula.

Is there anyway I can lookup text on both the column and row to pull data.
a b c
1 abc
2 xyz 50
3

What I want to do is, =VLOOKUP("xyz",A1:C3,"abc",FALSE) and it would return
the 50. I use many sheets that will always have the same text, but the
columns or rows may change and I don't want to have to spend more time making
sure the formula is correct than the data is correct.

Ken

 

[Don Guillett]

Larger sample of data

 

[T. Valko]

The general syntax would be:

=VLOOKUP("xyz",A1:C3,MATCH("abc",A1:C1,0),0)

Better to use cells to hold the criteria:

E1 = xyz
F1 = abc

=VLOOKUP(E1,A1:C3,MATCH(F1,A1:C1,0),0)

 

[kensmith]

That is freakin fantastic, thanks for the help Biff.

 

[T. Valko]

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback!