Auto filling into another cell when a drop down item is chosen

**EASYFISH** · 04-24-2012, 01:09 PM

When I choose a product description from a drop down list I would like the product code to auto fill into a different cell on the same line?
For example the result I am trying to acheive: Drop down list A1 = Descripton auto fills to J1 = Item code.

**Cutter** · 04-24-2012, 01:12 PM

You would need a table somewhere that had the Descriptions and Items. Then you could use functions like VLOOKUP() or INDEX() with MATCH() to retrieve the data from that table.

**EASYFISH** · 04-24-2012, 02:17 PM

I am a real rookie at this, any chance you could share an formula example?

**Cutter** · 04-24-2012, 05:18 PM

If I had a sample file to work with I'd be more than happy to supply an actual formula.
Here are links that provide examples of the VLOOKUP() function:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...in=HP010079186
http://www.excelfunctions.net/ExcelVlookup.html

VLOOKUP() is the most commonly used function for what you seem to be asking. The one drawback with it is that the value you are looking up (your Description) in the table must be to the left of the value you want to retrieve (your Item). If your setup is such that the value to be retrieved (Item) is to the left then you would go with the INDEX() - MATCH() combination.

If you need further help provide a small sample file (without personal data) which clearly shows your setup with a few examples of what you want to achieve.