Yes, the lookup value will remain the same vlookup(e23,dynamicrange,2,0) so
e23 remains the same but the dynamic range expands, or contracts as you add
or delete rows. the COUNTA function does this.

Sorry for the delay but I went to bed shortly after posting.

regards
Peter

"Rocketman" wrote:

Thanks for your help! My understanding is if you name a cell or range, the
name is referenced to the cell(s) address and not the information stored in
the cell(s). When your list is revised by adding additional rows of
information at the bottom of the list and resorting, the named cell(s) will
still refer to the previous named cell or range, even though that information
has moved to another cell (row) due to the resorting. The list I am using
has only 2 columns, one the lookup 'text string' with the adjacent 'Value' in
the next row.

"Billy Liddel" wrote:

Try creating a dynamic named range. An excellent source is Debra Dalgliesh's
site.
http://www.contextures.com/xlNames01.html

You could also look at data validation on the same site.

Regards
Peter

"Rocketman" wrote:

How do you reference data in a table for use in formulas where the data table
will be updated and resorted from time to time, thus changing the row
location of the original data. The VLOOKUP function will work if you use a
text string in the 'Look_up_value' field, but inputting text strings in every
formula is very time consuming. Is there a way to easily specify the 'text
string' in a cell as the 'Look_up_value', rather than the cell address, whose
contents will change when you resort the table after adding new data.