Excel 2007 : referencing numbers to items in a drop list

**excesv** · 07-02-2010, 10:51 PM

Hey Guys

Im pretty new to excel, I have managed to do a few things but im lost on this part.

Im trying to make a meal planner were i can select an item from a drop list and have the values of the product show up next to the product ie:

Product Protein Fats Carbohydrates

Fish 22 6.7 30
Chicken 30 0.2 0

So when i select a product from the drop list i want the values to change with the product

I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks Nick

**Paul** · 07-03-2010, 02:10 AM

Hi Excesv, welcome to the forum.

In the future, please try to explain what your task is within the post itself rather than saying "Help me - look at this spreadsheet". This will help the volunteers decide whether they can (or want to) help with the specific problem you're having.

Also, please, for the love of all things holy, avoid using Merged Cells whenever possible. They're more hassle than they're worth.

In lieu of this, in cell G40 use:

=VLOOKUP($C40,$B$5:$K$14,5,0)

In I40 use the same formula, but change the 5 (the third argument, just before the 0) to 7 to reference the 7th column in B:K. In K40 use the same formula, but change the 5 (again, the third argument) to 9 to reference the 9th column in B:K.

**excesv** · 07-03-2010, 03:41 AM

Good morning Paul.

Sorry i have to be honest i only had a quick flick of the rules. Sorry. As for the answer you have given me thats fantastic! Thank you.

Just a quick question.. =VLOOKUP($C40,$B$5:$K$14,5,0)

so C40 is were the drop list is located. ,$B$5:$K$14, reference of all my imformation and whats with the $$ symbols?

what is the 5, 7, 9? are there any books that will teach me more on formulas?..

Anyway thank you heaps and sorry for my mistakes.

**Paul** · 07-03-2010, 03:45 AM

Glad I could help. To see what the 5, 7 and 9 are all about, open up the Help screen in Excel and search for VLOOKUP. It will explain what the third (and fourth) arguments of the function are used for.