The key may be using absolute references in the table_range in your vlookup:
=vlookup(4,$A$1:$B$1000,2,false). Those $ signs will keep the cell
references from changing as you drag the formula around the spreadsheet.

"J" wrote:

i have two columns. i want to look through columA for value X and want to
return the value in columnB in the same row. i need to do this without
vlookup so i can make a recursive equation that i can just drag across the
whole spreadsheat.


A B
1 6
2 5
3 7
4 8

so if i were to serch for "4" in colA, i'd get back "8"

any ideas? thanks in advance.