vlookup with not exactly matching numbers

[Guest]

I need to often match up columns on two spreadsheets. One of the xls has a
reference number of 12 digits...the other has 10 digit. The 10 digits are
the same as the 12 except they are missing the first and last number.

Is there a way to do a vlookup using a "wild" card type feature?

 

[Guest]

Try:

=MATCH("*" & A1 & "*",C:C,0)

A1 is 10 digit
C:C are 12 digits

HTH

 

[Guest]

and ...

=VLOOKUP("*" & A1 & "*",C:C,1,0)

also works.

 

[Guest]

How should the numbers be formatted? The 12 digits are formatted as
"000000000000" because some of them begin with 0. Some of the 10 digits
begin with zero as well.

 

[Guest]

I had the numbers formated as text when I did a quick test but did have
leading zero(s).

 

[Guest]

Thank you! You are a God Send!

I had the numbers formated as text when I did a quick test but did have
leading zero(s).