Hlookup does not work due to reference cell being a formula

**cappadona** · 10-14-2010, 06:38 PM

On one sheet, in one cell (b1), I have a drop down menu. A menu of the 12 months (jan-dec). On another sheet, there is a cell (A1) that equals whatever is chosen from the drop down menu.

I am using a hlookup formula with the reference cell = A1. The formula does not work due to the reference cell being a formula.

Any suggestions? I can not get rid of the drop-down menu, it would defeat the whole purpose of my workbook.

Thanks for the support!

**daddylonglegs** · 10-14-2010, 06:41 PM

It doesn't make any difference whether the lookup value is delivered by a formula or some other way.

You probably have a mismatch between text and "numbers" (or dates).

Are you sure the lookup range has months in the same format? If the dropdown values are text then the lookup range will also need to be text, or are they formatted dates?

**cappadona** · 10-15-2010, 10:42 AM

the dates match exactly. The drop-down menu only includes October, November and December. If I chose December, the hlookup finds December's numbers fine but October and November show up as N/A.

**Vinodsralian** · 10-15-2010, 10:58 AM

Why dont u upload the sample spreadsheet which shows your prob?

**daddylonglegs** · 10-15-2010, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by cappadona

the dates match exactly. The drop-down menu only includes October, November and December. If I chose December, the hlookup finds December's numbers fine but October and November show up as N/A.

Can you post the formula?