Thread: vlookup and sort within 3 column

Dear All,

I have this data,

A B C
A1 T-238 T-200 T-238
A2 T-139 T-238 T-139
A3 T-137 T-139 #NA

For column C I've made this formula : =vlookup(B1,A:A,1,FALSE),

Later on I want to sort this 3 columns become like this:
A1 T-137 #NA #NA
A2 T-139 T-139 T-139
A3 T-200 #NA #NA
A3 T-238 T-238 T-238

but when I click sort menu and select to sort by col A, B , C, it won't be sorting like the way I want.

Please advise

thanks

I don't understand something here...

Originally Posted by onestar

A B C
A1 T-238 T-200 T-238
A2 T-139 T-238 T-139
A3 T-137 T-139 #NA

For column C I've made this formula : =vlookup(B1,A:A,1,FALSE)

If that formula is in column C then you should have:

      A         B        C
A1  T-238   T-200    #NA
A2  T-139   T-238    T-238
A3  T-137   T-139    T-139

Am I missing something obvious?

Sorry typo,

the result should be like this
T-238 T-200 #N/A
T-139 T-238 #N/A
T-137 T-139 T-238

but i need to sort out the 3 column here

T-139 T-139 #N/A
T-238 T-238 T-238

thanks

I think you've still got a typo, because a VLOOKUP on T-238 shouldn't return a #NA.

Anyway, unless I'm missing something very obvious why don't you just sort on the first two columns?

Maybe, I just copy paste from the excel.btw, I need to compare 3 column instead of 2.
I have received another file that they can sort the 3 column exactly the same.

I'm really sorry, but I still can't see what you're trying to do. Is there any chance you could post an example workbook showing what you have now and what you're trying to get to?

The easiest way to get around your problem is by making column C hardcopy. So copy and than paste as values. Now you should not have any problem sorting it the way yo want. gl