Matching Contact Info to Company Info Using ID Number

[bridgetb3]

Hi everyone,
I'm brand new here, but I've heard good things from co-workers. I am working on cleaning up our database for targeted marketing lists. First, I want to create a master list of everything that we have. The problem is, the companies are listed in one spreadsheet, and the contacts are listed in another. I can match them by company ID (column B). I color coded the lists separately to make them easy to identify. Is there a formula or easier way to take the company name and match it to the contacts name (column C)? I have been doing it manually and then color coding it another color to transfer to another sheet later on.
Some companies have no contacts, and some have multiple, so it's not a nice every-other pattern either. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
-B

[Glenn Kennedy]

Will you please attach a SMALL sample Excel workbook (10-20 rows of data is usually enough)? Please don't attach a picture of one (no-one will want to re-type all your stuff before starting).

1. Make sure that your sample data are truly REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired solution is also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential information is removed first!!

4. Try to avoid using merged cells. They cause lots of problems!

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment. So, to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: Just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.

[bridgetb3]

Thanks, Glenn. I tried attaching the worksheet but it wouldn't load--maybe too big. I'll try again.

[Glenn Kennedy]

There is a file size limit (around 1Mb). more if you save as .xlsb

[bridgetb3]

spreadsheet attached

[Glenn Kennedy]

How does this look:

to return a list of unique company IDs:
=IFERROR(INDEX(Sheet1!$B$2:$B$20,MATCH(0,INDEX(COUNTIF($A$1:$A1,Sheet1!$B$2:$B$20),0),0)),"")

To return company names (array formula):
=IFERROR(INDEX(Sheet1!$C$2:$C$20,MATCH(1,(Sheet1!$C$2:$C$20<>"")*(Sheet1!$B$2:$B$20=$A2),0)),"")

To return First names (array formula):
=IFERROR(OFFSET(INDEX(Sheet1!$E$2:$E$20,MATCH(1,(Sheet1!$E$2:$E$20<>"")*(Sheet2!$A2=Sheet1!$B$2:$B$20),0)),,-1,,),"")

To return Last names (array formula):
=IFERROR(INDEX(Sheet1!$E$2:$E$20,MATCH(1,(Sheet1!$E$2:$E$20<>"")*(Sheet2!$A2=Sheet1!$B$2:$B$20),0)),"")

Array Formulae are a little different from ordinary formulae in that they MUST be confirmed by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to activate the array, not just ENTER.

You will know the array is active when you see curly brackets { } - or "curly braces" for those of you in the USA, or "flower brackets" for those of you in India - appear around the outside of your formula. If you do not use CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER you will (almost always) get an error message or an incorrect answer. Press F2 on that cell and try again.

Don't type the curly brackets yourself - it won't work...

[bridgetb3]

Thanks, Glenn! I ended up in meeting yesterday so didn't get to give it a try, but I will this morning. Appreciate the help!

[bridgetb3]

All right, to quote my 11 year old son...derp. I've been doing this the hard way. What would the formula be if I matched the Account ID from both worksheets to get the company name and then paste that under the "Company" column in sheet 1?