Adria

Try the match function. If you sort the data in descending order then use MATCH with the -1 match type, you should get what you are chasing

Say you have the data XPBARE, XPBARD, XPBARC, X in the range A20:A23. The formula =MATCH("XPBA",A20:A23,-1) will come up with 3 which is the position of XPBARC. You can then use this with the INDEX function to find the associated required value

Ton

----- Kobayashi wrote: ----

I have two s/sheets; one has many rows of data and I shall call thi
datasheet. The other is lookup table containing a column with 30 or s
values. Here is my problem

I would like to be able to define a range consisting of the values i
one of the columns from the datasheet (which I can manage) and the
perform some kind of lookup/match/index to the lookup table. So what'
the problem? Seems straightforward enough
The problem is that the values in the lookup table are partial values
For example, a value in the datasheet will be 'XPBARC' but th
'matching' value in the lookup table will just be 'XPBA'! Now, courtes
of Mr. Walkenbach, I have a user-defined function called ISLIKE whic
some of you may be familiar with? But although this works on comparin
two cell values I would prefer not to create a couple of loopin
structures to examine the values in each s/sheet (I also can't do i
anyway! ;-)) but would prefer, if possible, to use a lookup, o
similar, which should be quicker also

So, if anybody could help I would be extremely grateful indeed

Many thanks

Adria


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