I'm not sure why the offset formula isn't producing the result you want. I
have 50 names on sheet 1 and they all come in to sheet 2 OK. Just make sure
that you have "$" around the address of the first name in sheet 1 i.e.
Sheet1!$A$1. Also make sure that all your merged entries contain 3 rows, if
they don't, the formula will not work.

To explain (Row()-1)/3,0):
The zero tells OFFSET not to move across any columns becuase the names are
all in the same column on sheet 1.
(Row()-1)/3: Because we have our cells separated into 3's we have
inadvertently created an arithmetic series. So to correctly reference sheet1
we must correct the offset. ROW() returns the top-most row number of the
merged cell range, then we always need to subtract 1 to ensure that the
result is always devisible by 3 because a spreadsheet starts at row 1 not row
0. Using an example. The second name which is in row 2 on sheet 1 must appear
in row 4 (top-most row of the merged cell) of sheet 2. So to achieve this, we
take 4-1 = 3 then divide by 3, now our offset formula offsets the original
cell A1 by 1 row to A2. The next name is in row 3 on sheet 1 but must appear
in row 7 on sheet 2, so 7-1 = 6 then divide 3 gives 2, so OFFSET must move
two rows down from the orginal cell of A1 to A3 and so on.

When you get the data from Access you should see a screen to "link" to the
database. This screen also gives you the options to specify how the
spreadsheet updates from the database. Not sure what else to tell you here,
there's no need to write a macro.

If this helps please click "Yes"
<<<<<<<<<<

"CAPTGNVR" wrote:

D/BSC

Thanks for the guidance.

From access able to get using external data but unable to use the offset
formula.

When I use the ""=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1,(ROW()-1)/3,0)"" in the required cell
in sheet2, the first name is fine; then when I drag the formula to next cell
the second name is also correct. but from third cell second name repeats.

So can you pls sugest what to do from here. Would like to know what this
does actually "(ROW()-1)/3,0) and also how to automatically update this
sheet1 if i change the name in access. meaning how to automatically refresh
when i open the excel file. can I put on open and write a vb??

Will be watching for your reply so that I can work on this tonight and
eagerly waiting. Appreciate your guidance and pls guide me further.

brgds/captgnvr

"BSc Chem Eng Rick" wrote:

Hi

This answers your question a). Place the following formula in sheet2.
=OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1,(ROW()-1)/3,0)

Please note that if your names on sheet2 have more than 3 rows merged, then
change the 3 in the above formula to however many rows are merged. Also if
the first name is not in $A$1 then change the $A$1 to wherever the first name
in your list is say $B$2

For question b). Click on Tools -- Data and then "Get External Data".
Select Access Database and then you will be given a number of options for
updating. Select "Enable Background update to make this happen all the time
in the background.

If this helps please click "Yes"
<<<<<<<<<<

"CAPTGNVR" wrote:

Sheet1 has lsit of crew names.

Sheet2 has details about the crew in the following manner.

a1 to a3 is merged as one cell for crew name. b1 will have residence, b2

his office, b3 his business.

The problem I am facing is when I link sheet1 names to sheet2, it is not

in same order in sheet2 becos three rows or merged as one cell.

so pls help me in

a) how to link names between two sheets to copy the names in sheet2 from

sheet1 and

b) I have all the data of names in access and it should be linked to this

sheet1.

Pls note using office 97.