Have A Letter Reference A Name For An Intoduction

**travelersway** · 02-16-2005, 05:23 AM

I have a list of names (which will change) in column B "data work sheet". I'd like to assign a letter from colmun A to represent the cell that each name is entered (a=B1). I'd like to use that letter to identify the name to be used in the introduction of a generic message on "message work sheet". I'd like to place that letter in a location like C5 and have it reference the name.
Please advise the best way to do that and how to approach it. Help appreciated.

Example:

"DATA WORK SHEET"

................ A..............B

1................a..........MR SMITH

2.................b.........TOM SMITH

3.................c..........TOM L SMITH

Enter "a" into cell C5

"LETTER WORK SHEET"

Dear (data work sheet, C5) MR SMITH

**swatsp0p** · 02-16-2005, 10:18 AM

Use the VLOOKUP function. Name the range of your list of names (including the column with the letter identifiers) as "NAMES" (or whatever you like). Then use this formula:

="Dear "&VLOOKUP('data work sheet'!C5,NAMES,2)

Note: by 'naming' your list's range, as you adjust the size of the list, you don't need to rewrite your formulas that refer to the range. Just make sure the named range matches your list's range. It also makes writing the formula easier, as you don't need to reference the sheet (assuming it is in the same workbook).

Tip: you could also 'name' the cell C5 "CODE" (or whatever), then your formula would look like:

="Dear "&VLOOKUP(CODE,NAMES,2)

HTH