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Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

  1. #1
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    Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Hi I am a little confused as how to do this but as you can only use upto seven nested IF() im pretty sure it must be Vlookup.

    In Products worksheet I have columns
    A B
    Description Brand

    and in Info worksheet I have column A

    A
    Available Brands
    (a list of brands)

    I would like to use a function to search the description field for one of the brands in the info worksheet and to then display that brand in column b on the products worksheet.

    I have got as far as

    ISNUMBER(SEARCH(XXX,XXX))

    but then i am completly confused as how to use vlookup or ........


    Any help will be greatly appeciated

    Ashley
    Last edited by amoorman; 02-09-2009 at 05:13 AM.

  2. #2
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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Try:

    =Index(Products!A:A,Match(A2,Products!B:B,0))

    where A2 contains brand to match.
    Where there is a will there are many ways.

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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    hum, i am trying this but i am a little consfused as how i should use it.

    This formula should be placed in 'Products'!B2 and each cell underneath it.

    the brands to match are a list and not one cell.

    Many thanks

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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Maybe if you post an example workbook, it would be easier to understand what you are requiring?

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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Good idea, thank you so much this has been troubling me sooooooo much.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  6. #6
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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Try this in B2:

    =INDEX(Info!$A$2:$A$20,MATCH(1,SEARCH("*"&Info!$A$2:$A$20&"*",A2),0))

    first adjust the ranges to suit your actual data.

    then, hold the CTRL+SHIFT keys down and hit ENTER to confirm.

    You will see { } brackets appear...

    then copy the formula down.

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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Ah, many thanks i have never used {} before, i will research arrays a bit now. Thanks

  8. #8
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    Re: Vlookup (i think) to search within a cell

    Here is a good place to learn about Array formulas.

    http://www.cpearson.com/excel/ArrayFormulas.aspx

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