+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7

Partial value lookup

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-11-2016
    Location
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    49

    Question Partial value lookup

    hi

    I have two columns of names of people. I am wanting to do a partial value look up. i.e. if Column a has "A J Smith" it links to a "Alan Smith" in column B

    Sorry trying to think of a clearer way to explain this but strruggling

    thanks

    R

  2. #2
    Administrator 6StringJazzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-27-2010
    Location
    Tysons Corner, VA, USA
    MS-Off Ver
    MS365 Family 64-bit
    Posts
    24,740

    Re: Partial value lookup

    Partial matches (we call this fuzzy matching) are always problematic and can get quite complex. If column A has "A J Smith" and column B has "Alan Smith" and "Andrew Smith", what do you want to match? That is just scratching the surface. If column A has "A J Smith" and column B has "Alan Smyth" do you want that to be a match?

    What is the source of the two lists and why would a name that you want to match be different in the two lists? That might help determine the algorithm for the match.
    Jeff
    | | |會 |會 |會 |會 | |:| | |會 |會
    Read the rules
    Use code tags to [code]enclose your code![/code]

  3. #3
    Valued Forum Contributor Sean Thomas's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-25-2012
    Location
    HerneBay, Kent, UK
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2007,2016
    Posts
    971

    Re: Partial value lookup

    If all names in column A are initials followed by surnames, and column B in forename & surname.
    then extract the first initial & surname from column A
    Extract the initial & surname from column B
    then you can do a lookup for a match

    This is all well and good but you will get errors.
    what if there is an Alice Smith as well?
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Regards
    Sean

    Please add to my reputation if you think i helped
    (click on the star below the post)
    Mark threads as "Solved" if you have your answer
    (Thread Tools->Mark thread as Solved)
    Use code tags when posting your VBA code:
    [code] Your code here [code]
    Please supply a workbook containing example Data:
    It makes its easier to answer your problem & saves time!

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-11-2016
    Location
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    49

    Re: Partial value lookup

    I spoke to the person with the query.

    We reckon if you could match by surname then someone can check through the matches and see what works.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-11-2016
    Location
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    49

    Re: Partial value lookup

    @Sean,

    I will test drive this and let you know.

  6. #6
    Administrator 6StringJazzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-27-2010
    Location
    Tysons Corner, VA, USA
    MS-Off Ver
    MS365 Family 64-bit
    Posts
    24,740

    Re: Partial value lookup

    Then Sean Thomas has you covered.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-11-2016
    Location
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    49

    Re: Partial value lookup

    @6String and @Sean cheers guys I think I can work with that.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. [SOLVED] Lookup partial values and if match return partial value from another cell
    By Renejorgensen in forum Excel Formulas & Functions
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-01-2017, 07:53 AM
  2. Partial lookup from text string, return value from lookup list
    By TotallyLost in forum Excel Formulas & Functions
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 06-13-2016, 12:14 PM
  3. [SOLVED] Lookup of partial number
    By Nurseryboy in forum Excel General
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-27-2015, 07:29 PM
  4. Partial Lookup
    By rizmomin in forum Excel Formulas & Functions
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-30-2014, 03:13 PM
  5. Partial Lookup
    By srd1281 in forum Excel Formulas & Functions
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-17-2013, 06:40 PM
  6. Partial Lookup
    By srd1281 in forum Excel Formulas & Functions
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-05-2013, 09:27 AM
  7. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-24-2011, 11:26 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1