for future reference, remember that ISNA only works for the one type of
error. you can use ISERROR in the same fashion for all errors not just
missing data. if you only need to find the missing data, and don't need to
validate correct data you can use
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A1,'Sheet 2'!$A$1:$A$100,1,FALSE)),"Missing")
and this will work just for finding errors in your range without having to
validate any other data.

"Maureen" wrote:

thank you very much, I've felt like an idiot for the last couple of days
trying to "self educate myself and get it to work. You have ended my
frustration!

"Elkar" wrote:

Give this a try. In column B of Sheet 1 enter:

=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A1,'Sheet 2'!$A$1:$A$100,1,FALSE)),"Missing","OK")

Copy down Column B for each value in column A. I just assumed your data was
in cells A1 thru A100. Change this range to meet your needs. Also, change
Sheet 2 to match the actual name of your second sheet.

HTH,
Elkar


"Maureen" wrote:

I know most of the posts here are for advanced users... but, please help!
I have a column of data in one spreadsheet (column A) in a workbook and
another column of data (also column A) in another spreadsheet in the same
workbook. I want to confirm that all of the data in the first spreadsheet is
in the second, and identity those that are not.

I know this is a very very basic VLOOKUP statement, but I am lost.

thanks for anyones help,