Excel 2007 : Creating a VLOOKUP formula

Hi Guys,

Can someone please help me with creating a VLOOKUP formula? Below is a summary of what I’m attempting to do. I've also attached a sample worksheet that will contain the exact fields I'm looking to compare. The worksheet contains two spreadsheets titled Carrier Data and CX Data. I need to compare both worksheets and will be looking to find discrepancies. For example, missing ssn# (would indicate either the carrier or CX did not have the ssn# on file). Also, if possible, could you come up with a summary on how you created the formula? I’ve been trying hard to get a grasp on VLOOKUP, but it’s been tough. I’m hoping to take an advanced Excel course at a local community college in the not too distant future.
Project:
To compare two spreadsheets within one worksheet. The data for each worksheet will come from an extract provided by the carrier and by CX (my organization).

Goal:
To compare the data and identify discrepancies based on the column headings and data within the columns. True/False would work for me, if that’s an option.

Column Headings:
ssn#
First Name
Last Name
Tier
COBRA Start Date


Thanks Much!
Edward

If you can add a helper column to concat the last/first names, then you can easily use Vlookup.

See attached.

It's only one column you add though.. you just enter the concatenation formula once, then copy it down the rows.

That is the easiest way. It can be done without helper columns, but the formulas would be a bit more complex... using INDEX/MATCH... but there would be questions about the conditions of first/last name... is the last name unique (i.e. no duplicate last names in same file... which is probably not guaranteed, right?.. if so, we would need array formulas to combine the first/last names before comparison...)