Trying to pull off a simple mapping but my brain wont work =(

**sparkers** · 10-01-2012, 02:48 PM

Hi All,

I'm trying to create a mapping between columns in Excel 2007 but having pretty bad luck so far. Essentially what I have is three columns. My first column consists of a list of numbers, my second cloumn consists of a bunch of text and my third column is blank. What I want to do in my third column is look in the first column, find the number and then use that number I just found to find a text description in my second column. So for example if in row1, column A the value was "5", I want to go to row5, columnB and grab that value. Originally I was thinking something along the lines of =A(B$1) should have done the trick but it didn't, any help would be really appreciated.

**Pauleyb** · 10-01-2012, 02:54 PM

In cell C1 try:
=OFFSET($B$1,A1-1,0)

Then drag down.

**sparkers** · 10-01-2012, 03:21 PM

You are my hero.

Edit: With that being said, what is the best approach to learning the ins and outs of Excel? I've tried reading some of the links provided on the site but the amount of information completely boggles my mind. I feel like there's so much stuff that would only come into use in specific spots that the only way to "learn" it is by doing a bunch of problems and seeing the most common ones. Would anyone be kind enough to offer some tips/tricks?

**BB1972** · 10-01-2012, 04:05 PM

sparkers,

I'd suggest "starting small"

one formula at a time. Excel is a brilliant, brilliant tool, but as newcomers/novices, we need to make sure we don't bite off so much that we are discouraged from continuing.

Browse the forums. Better still, search the forums for something you want, or need, to do - you'll probably find it. Some of what's posted here is fairly straightforward, once you get you head around *little* things like syntax! But it's well worth a bit of effort. There are also great tutorials and examples online - Google really is your friend - and Excel itself has a pretty decent help section.

Also, it really helps me when I'm learning to use small amounts of information - a couple of cells, where I'm already familiar with the content/source material - I find it's easier to learn if I can immediately see the result is correct, or incorrect. I also find that needing to know the answer is generally a better motivator to learn than *just* wanting to learn.

If something is giving you trouble, and you can't find the answer already out there, then ask here. I have only anecdotal evidence, but from what I've seen, people are only too happy to help, especially if helping means that you learn, and can then help yourself, and others.

Enjoy the journey!