Variation from Vlookup, cannot match rightmost column

**gia42** · 05-15-2009, 03:30 PM

I am currently using VLOOKUP taking the data in column A and matching it to a worksheet which also has a matching number in columnA. Then populating fields in the first worksheet based on the position of the desired data. Works great.

However, I found out that the data MUST be the first column! I have a field that I need to do the same type of match but, it cannot be in the first column in the worksheet. There must be a way to do this! Added an illustration which probably makes this a little clearer.

**NBVC** · 05-15-2009, 03:33 PM

Your post does not comply with Rule 5 of our Forum RULES. We have Seven question forums: Miscellaneous, General, Programming, Worksheet Functions, Charting, Excel 2007 Help and New Users. Please choose the appropriate forum, and post your question in ONLY one forum.

**gia42** · 05-15-2009, 03:46 PM

I am confused. I posted this in worksheet functions. I didn't at least intentionally post it on any other forums. What or how did I do it wrong?

**NBVC** · 05-15-2009, 03:49 PM

I will move it for you...

**NBVC** · 05-15-2009, 03:51 PM

I am kind of confused about your setup, etc.. but the alternative to Vlookup to look leftwards is Index/Match

e.g.

=Index(A1:A10,Match(X1,B1:B10,0))

where X1 needs to be matched to item in column B, but extract from column A...

**gia42** · 05-18-2009, 09:15 PM

The example I gave you was terrible. I am part of the way there, but still having trouble. Here is my current function, which yeilds an error #N/A.
=INDEX(G2:G10,MATCH(APPTABLE!H3,H3:H50,0))

The data to match is in column G in a worksheet named "application rem". The data I want is in another worksheet named "apptable". The matching value is in column A. The data I am attempting to pull in is in column H.

Can you tell me how to successfully point to the data in the other worksheet?

**NBVC** · 05-18-2009, 09:55 PM

Probably:

=INDEX('application rem'!H3:H50,MATCH(APPTABLE!G3,'application rem'!A3:A50,0))

**gia42** · 05-20-2009, 11:34 AM

Thank you so much. Now I understand how this function is supposed to work! The help document makes it so much more difficult than it is! I really appreciate your quick responses and helpful information. The scales won't let me click on your reputation. Said I need to spread it around more first! Not fair!

**NBVC** · 05-20-2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by gia42

Thank you so much. Now I understand how this function is supposed to work! The help document makes it so much more difficult than it is! I really appreciate your quick responses and helpful information. The scales won't let me click on your reputation. Said I need to spread it around more first! Not fair!

You are welcome...

Yeah, the whole reputation system is flawed anyways.. so don't worry about.. but thanks for the thought and consideration.