Try

=NOT(ISERROR(FIND(LEFT(A5,2),A3)))

--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel, 10 Years
Pearson Software Consulting
www.cpearson.com
(email on the web site)

"nastech" wrote in message
...
hi, am trying to test if left 2 characters in 1 cell, is equal string of
characters in another cell. e.g.:

Cell A5: F00
Cell $A$3: A0 B0 C0 D0 E0 F0

Problem: does the left 2 characters "F0" exist in cell $A$3
thanks.....