Try

=VLOOKUP(--B1,D1:E1,2,FALSE)

or in B1 use

=--LEFT(A1,2)

then use your vlookup as originally stated

all the text functions return a text string


--

Regards,

Peo Sjoblom

http://nwexcelsolutions.com




wrote in message
. net...
How can I make this work?
I have a worksheet. I need to extract the first two digits of a number.
The two digit number determines which equipment to use.That number checks
against a vlookup table and then the equipment is entered in another cell.
The worksheet is much larger than this but this should give you an idea
what the problem is.

Example:
A1 = 8110332
B1 =LEFT(A1,2) B1 now shows 81
C1 =VLOOKUP(B1,D1:E1,2,FALSE)
D1 =81
E1 =Thingy

The #N/A error shows. I just need to enter the number in A1 and all the
rest is done for me. I know the problem rests with the formula in B1.