Excel Formula that references a table in a different worksheet

**jtobes** · 01-10-2011, 10:37 AM

Ok, So I made a table (on worksheet 'Load Chart') that has Crane Sizes going down the left (A Column), and in Row 1 I have radius of the pick, and cells B2:AJ14 are all the weights of the picks that correspond with the size of the crane and the distance(radius) the boom extends. With that said, I need to make some sort of generator on another worksheet that will allow me to input a certain weight of a pick, and the radius that I am picking, and have it spit out the size crane I should use. Now keep in mind the sizes vary and if the table doesnt have an exact match it would have to choose a value higher, as I am guaranteed to pick a crane that can handle a certain load. SO it should reference the column (radius), pick the nearest weight (that is same or greater than) and read the corresponding crane size in column A that matches the row that the size is in. I know its much but I hope someone can help me.

**royUK** · 01-10-2011, 10:40 AM

To best describe or illustrate your problem you would be better off attaching a dummy workbook, the workbook should contain the same structure and some dummy data of the same type as the type you have in your real workbook - so, if a cell contains numbers & letters in this format abc-123 then that should be reflected in the dummy workbook.

If needed supply a before and after sheet in the workbook so the person helping you can see what you are trying to achieve.

You can probably use VLOOKUP with Data Validation

Doing this will ensure you get the result you need!

**NBVC** · 01-10-2011, 11:02 AM

Try:

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**Barry.Cuthbertson** · 09-01-2015, 09:51 PM

I have spend many hours working on a file that I hope to sell to others so I do not wish to give too much away but i can go this far:

NVBC comment above is similar to what I have used.

My file is structured as follows:

One "control room" tab where I have a table listing the crane models for which I have capacity data and the name of each tab (see item 2 below).

A separate tab that contains the load capacity data for each crane model (one crane model per tab) that I have collected from the internet. I massage each download into EXACTLY the same format and layout. Any one tab contains multiple sub-tables for different counterweight masses as well as for boom or boom and fly jib etc.

The control room tab list of cranes allows the user to exclude date from cranes that are not available at that work site (in use elsewhere, cannot get to site due to road access restrictions etc.).

Another table on the control room tab is where the user inputs the max and min lift radius, X, Y and Z dimensions of the load (ditto for load lifting lug locations), load mass, ground level under the crane wheels (or tracks), start level of the load (tray of truck?) and finish level of the load (foundation concrete?), location and elevation of obstruction/s etc.

The user then selects a crane and counterweight mass and the calculations return a lift safety factor. The safety factor is effectively the capacity of the crane at the max lift radius with the selected counterweight mass divided by the mass of the load (including the headache ball, slings, spreader bars etc)). A safety factor less than say 1.2 could be considered unsafe and the operator then increases the counterweight mass or selects a larger crane to see if that works.

If you are serious in this exercise, you can easily consume a thousand hours in refining the operator interface, capacity data library for mobile and crawler cranes, instructions for the user and even adjusting the offset angle between boom and fly jib. Trust me, I have gone into this area and it is fun but does demand persistence.

All the best jtobes.

Barry