You could try converting the number to text in the VLookup formula. For
example, with a number in J2:

=VLOOKUP(TEXT(J2,"0"),$A$1:$H$500,2,FALSE)

Scott wrote:
Question for Access and Excel XP (2002). I have linked an Excel Spreadsheet
(Database) to Access for updating and other special Access functions. The
Excel data contains a unique identifier (Key field) call Serial Numbers (SN)
that contains 13 characters. Some SN contain numbers only, while other SNs
contain numbers and one letter i.e; 99923J143567. When linking the data
together Excel identifies the SNd item as GENERAL, while Access pulls the
information in as TEXT. Access then adds a hash mark (€˜) to the beginning of
each SN containing digits only (no letters) i.e; €˜99923J143467, thus making
the SN TEXT. This in turn causes problems when using the Vlookup function in
Excel, resulting in a no return value when entering a SN, unless the hash
mark (€˜) has been included in the SN. If I remove the Hash Mark (€˜) from the
Excel SNs they will not show up in the Access linked database. I would
prefer not to separate this field if possible. Other then that I have tried
several methods and searched high in low in the MS Database for help with no
LUCK! Can anybody HELP me? Thank You!!!


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html