How about an AutoFilter?

1. Select your data.
2. Go to Data Filter AutoFilter
3. Select "Custom" on the drop-down menu for col. B.
4. Select "Equals" if not already selected and put "CL*"
without the quotes.
5. Press OK.

HTH
Jason
Atlanta, GA

-----Original Message-----
hi there

I would like the formula below to retrieve and return any
entry within
a list (in excel) that begins with [or contains] the
text "CL"..(in
this instance) - if there is nothing it returns a blank..

=IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCHB("CL",B5,1)),B5,"")

However I can only get it to search 1 cell at a time (and
only in
cells below that cell ref (ie: B5), not above it). Is it
possible to
replace the cell value with a range (ie: B:B)...so it
searches more
extensively?

or is there something better that will do the trick?

many thanks in advance
Sue
.