Finding Closest Match (VLookup is no good)

[nibix]

Hello good people!

I have an excel worksheet listing about 900 names [file 1] in various formats (last, first; first last; First Last; LAST, FIRST; etc...) with some pertinent information in the contiguous columns .

Every few days I receive and email with and excel attachment [file 2] that lists a few (10) of the names that appear in [file 1] with some updated information.

I was trying to write a script that automatically copied over the new information from [file 2] to the appropriate row in [file 1]. However the names don't always match perfectly.

To no avail, tried using VLookup with final argument both on and off. I also found a script on this site with a function called TVLookup(). It did a little better of a job at matching the two names, but not really what I need.

I was thinking about using VBA's find function, but i dont think this will look for partial matches like I want.

Thank you for your assistance.
-nibix

[Leith Ross]

Hello nibix,

Welcome to the Forum!

To get an answer your question quickly, you should include any code you have, and examples of the data layout on the worksheet. You can also post your Excel workbook(s) for review.

Sincerely,
Leith Ross

[nibix]

I have made an example of what I am trying to do. I want a function that will be able to find the best match for a text value. VLookup just doesn't do the job

[nibix]

I was thinking. Maybe this is just fundamentally a bad way to do what I am trying to accomplish. Any thoughts?