Hi I'm new - need help with VLOOKUP & LEFT or alternative

Hello,

I'm trying to have a cell look to the left, identify the fist digit and lookup/return an assigned shop, office, etc..
LEFT by its self would work. however, it lacks flexibility and by the 3rd shop (and may more to go) it was getting too lengthy.

"=IF(LEFT(B3,1)="1", "Body", IF(LEFT(B3,1)="2", "Glass shop", IF(LEFT(B3,1)="3", "Interior", "X")))"

I've tried to use LEFT in conjunction with VLOOKUP but I keep getting errors.

"=VLOOKUP(LEFT(B5,1),B$13:C$19,2,FALSE)"

Please help - Where did I go wrong? I'm also open to alternatives - maybe INDEX & MATCH.
(Hope I did the attachment thing right.)

Thanks!

Please Login or Register  to view this content.

Try this formula

Something else to consider if you start working with larger datasets.. look at replacing vlookup with index/match.. alot quicker