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Concatenated INDEX MATCH formula that won't give error that can index match 2-4 strings

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    Concatenated INDEX MATCH formula that won't give error that can index match 2-4 strings

    I have a list of Chinese names in column A, in column B I pasted a formula which will look at the first character A1 and then index match to come up with the corresponding pinyin, then it looks for the 2nd character and index matches and returns the corresponding pinyin, then it looks for the third character, then the fourth but if there are only 2 or 3 characters in the name I get a #N/A error so I need this formula which is set up for the maximum of four characters to work even if there are only two or three characters.
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    I tried to add "IF(ISERROR" (I'm using EXCEL 97 so I can't use the IFERROR function) but it said there was an error in the formula.
    I have attached a greatly simplified workbook that demonstrates the problem
    concatenate problem.xls

  2. #2
    Forum Guru benishiryo's Avatar
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    Re: Concatenated INDEX MATCH formula that won't give error that can index match 2-4 string

    hi bkwins. it is still ok if there are only 2-4 characters. otherwise, the formula would get too messy & you probably need VBA. you can try this:
    Formula: copy to clipboard
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    the one in B5 doesnt match your desired answers because there are 2 "L"s in column F. VLOOKUP or MATCH takes the 1st instance

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    Re: Concatenated INDEX MATCH formula that won't give error that can index match 2-4 string

    benishiryo, Thanks so much! Before I mark this solved can you tell me how to change the above formula so it gives me a blank cell if there is no name in a cell in column A? There would never be a situation where there is only one character. Thanks!

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    Re: Concatenated INDEX MATCH formula that won't give error that can index match 2-4 string

    Never mind I just figured it out myself. The following code will handle a blank cell on the left or one with just one character also.
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    Thanks again!

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