Best approach for cross referencing another table?

[stevebutcher75]

Hi
I'm new to Excel and would really appreciate some direction with the best approach to cross referencing data that lives in two tables. I've been going round in circles on Google - not sure what terms I should be using, and I don't know enough about Excel yet!

I have two simplified tables for sales (listing sales by person, no mention of sales person's region) and sales person info (that's where their region lives).
I want to show total sales per region.
But I haven't been able to figure out how to do this without adding unwanted columns to repeat data from the other table. I think I need a combination of INDEX and MATCH and maybe COUNTIFS, but not sure of the best approach.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Steve

[FDibbins]

You say you dont want unwanted columns, but often times, using helper columns (as we call them) can help simplify formulas. Also, helper columns can be hidden so they dont actually show, and the cosmetic appearance is not affected.

In this case, I would probably add a helper column to the 1st table, and use that to ID what region each person works in. It then becomes a simple matter to get your regional totals from teh 1st table

[stevebutcher75]

Ah, thanks Ford!
I'd added a region column for the first table and it worked fine, but was thinking there might be something I'm missing. Good to hear that helper columns are a thing.

[FDibbins]

They are indeed and we all use them.

Happy to help and thx for the feedback