Vlookup to access data based on a drop-down list

[Fuzzdawg]

ok, i have been looking around here and it seems like my problem is similar to many's regarding the vlookup function.

to me, what i'm trying to do sounds simple enough, but it can't get it to work.

i have a table that has three columns,
Item Number, Item Description, and Amount.

Each item has it's own number, a corresponding item description, and ammount (obviously), but there are some repeats.

What I want to do it input the Item Description, and have one field automatically pull up the Item number, and the next field, pull up the price.

I am using a drop-down list for the Item Descriptions utilizing data validation. here is formula that i have been trying to use that is not working:

=VLOOKUP(B2,Sheet1!$A$2:$C$18,1,FALSE)


i have attached a trial worksheet that i am using to work things out on. Any ideas?

[shg]

Please take a few minutes to read the Forum Rules about thread titles, and then edit yours to make it descriptive of your problem.

[dcgrove]

When using the Vlookup function, the value being looked up has to be in the first column of the table. I have made some changes to your table and put the correct formulas in sheet 2 to help you out.

Hope this helps!
Clayton

[Fuzzdawg]

Is that all!?!?! i mean, holy moly, i worked on that for hours!!!!

thanks it works great.


can i ask one more simple question?

when i have a drop-down list, is it possible to have the option of allowing a user to either chose from the drop-down list or input their own data?

i currently use data> validation> allow> List (with in-cell drop-down) for my drop-down lists.

if someone can help me wrap this up then i will mark this thread solved.

[dcgrove]

Yep that is all it took. To allow users to type in their entries, un-check the box that turns on an error message if invalid data is entered on the "Error Alert" tab of the Data Validation dialog box.

[Fuzzdawg]

thanks again!