IF/THEN with a concatenation

[JG12866]

I have a spreadsheet with about 9000 rows with information that has been gathered off of index cards. (These cards have been scanned and ocr’d) Each row contains information about a digital image. Fields that are in each row are: digital image (a scan of the index card), first name, last name, etc. In about 20% of the rows there is no data except the file name. This means that the card before it was double sided.
Is there any way I can write an if/then statement that would read something like:
If there is no entry in the 'first name' (below column B) field then the previous 'digital image' field (below column A) should be concatenated with the 'digital image' field directly above it using the | symbol to separate the two (or three entries).
In the example below: The card for Theodore L is double-sided so I want to change Field A1 to:
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01137.pdf|2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01138.pdf so that when I import this file into my database both of the files are associated with the record for Theodore L.
The cards for Oscar T, Harry A, John and Michael E are all single-sided so those records are fine. However Theodore L, George Stanely, Fred Matthews, Frederick Matthew, and William A are all double sided so I have to concatenate the digital file names so the back side of Theodore L is in Theodore L’s record.
Complicating this is that there are some records where there are three images associated with the record, in this case George Gilbert, so for him I would need his ‘digital image’ field to read:
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01150.pdf|2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01151.pdf|2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01152.pdf

Thanks,
Jim

2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01141.pdf Oscar T
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01142.pdf Fred Matthews
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01143.pdf
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01144.pdf Frederick Matthew
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01145.pdf
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01146.pdf Harry A
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01147.pdf John
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01148.pdf William A
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01149.pdf
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01150.pdf George Gilbert
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01151.pdf
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01152.pdf
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01153.pdf Michael E
2005.0010_40654_420302988_0230-01154.pdf Alonzo

[Pepe Le Mokko]

Hi and welcome

Attach a sample workbook. Make sure there is just enough data to make it clear what is needed. Include a BEFORE sheet and an AFTER sheet in the workbook if needed to show the process you're trying to complete or automate. Make sure your desired results are demonstrated, mock them up manually if needed. Remember to desensitize the data.

Click on GO ADVANCED and use the paperclip icon to open the upload window.

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[Ursul]

Yep going need an attached example for this one ...

[Rambo4711]

Look at this if that is a solution for you.

[JG12866]

I have attached a copy of the spreadsheet after removing some sensitive data.
There are about 8800 rows of data. I have sorted through the first 1600 or so by cutting and pasting and am hoping there is another way. This is the first of many files I will have to work on.
Again, thanks for the help!

Jim

[JG12866]

I have attached a copy of the spreadsheet after removing some sensitive data.
There are about 8800 rows of data. I have sorted through the first 1600 or so by cutting and pasting and am hoping there is another way. This is the first of many files I will have to work on.
Again, thanks for the help!

Jim