Link information Database

[123needhelp]

Hello,
I would like to ask you for help with the creation of a database. For now I must link information from different excels spreadsheets or excel documents.
The idea is having 2 different documents:
- One containing laboratory data
- Another one containing some of this information + other parameters.

The input from the laboratory data is manual. An example would be:

Sample num	Cl	Br	I
1234	1	2	3
12345	5	6	7

Then in the other excel spreadsheet when someone inputs a sample number (ex. 1234) there should be a function recalling the sample data and automatically filling the information on the corresponding cells.

Date	Sample num	something1	something2	Cl	Br	I
	INPUT			AUTOFILL	AUTOFILL	AUTOFILL
	INPUT			AUTOFILL	AUTOFILL	AUTOFILL

I am sorry but I am completely new in this so… an explanation for dummies would be mostly appreciated (or any helpful reference).
If you need any other information just let me know.

Thanks a lot!

[djdjdj]

It seems like it would suffice to use lookup formulas to accomplish this. In your Cl Br I columns of your second sheet (not the database sheet) use a Vlookup, or an Index;match;match formula.

See here for an example

[123needhelp]

Thank you very very much! :D

I am trying to use it now but it doesn't work... I guess I am doing something wrong.
Just to make sure... can I use those functions if I have two different excel files? Do you have any idea of when would the information be updated?
(both files are updated daily..)
Something else I'd like to know is if it'd be a problem that the information is not in the same order (the compounds don't have to be in both files in the same order).. would that be a problem?

And one last question (SORRY!!)... why do you use VLOOKUP just on the first cell and then "INDEX"??

Sorry again for asking so much, I really appreciate your help :D
And I am really happy it is possible!! the file you sent me works perfecly . now let's see if I can make it can work for my case..

Thanks a lot!

[123needhelp]

.. I don't think it'll work
I have been playing with it and for what I can see, the links must be connected to the location in the computer.
I have to create the database but I will deliever it to someone else so, for what I understand it won't work ... :(
Any idea?? :S

[djdjdj]

What do you mean "deliver it to someone else"? If that person is going to use the files permanently, then all you have to do is redefine the links. If you are simply sending an update to that person and they don't need to update the data on their end they can break the links.

[123needhelp]

Hello! thanks for your reply!
What I mean is that they are going to have different files with the same structure but named after the current month or year.
That's why I think that if I link 2 like this it may not work...

By the way... could you explain me the difference between VLOOKUP and INDEX? why different functions for the same purpose..?

[djdjdj]

vlookup is static whereas index;match is dynamic. Index;match allows you to add columns in your lookup sheet, vlookup has fixed columns.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ex...001154902.aspx

[123needhelp]

Thank you very much!!
You were all very helpful ! Thanks a lot!