Assuming that your equation works (except for the #na)
=if(isna(IF(VLOOKUP(IF(ISERROR(SEARCH("(",A2)),A2, TRIM(LEFT(A2,SEARCH("(",A2)-1))),PLANNING!A:B,2,FALSE)=TEXT(B2,"nnnn"),"YES"," NO"),"",VLOOKUP(IF(ISERROR(SEARCH("(",A2)),A2,TRIM (LEFT(A2,SEARCH("(",A2)-1))),PLANNING!A:B,2,FALSE)=TEXT(B2,"nnnn"),"YES"," NO"))


--
Wag more, bark less


"puiuluipui" wrote:

hi, i have a small problem with this formula


=IF(VLOOKUP(IF(ISERROR(SEARCH("(",A2)),A2,TRIM(LEF T(A2,SEARCH("(",A2)-1))),PLANNING!A:B,2,FALSE)=TEXT(B2,"nnnn"),"YES"," NO")

if i dont write anything, the formula show me #N/A.
i dont want formula to show me anything. not even zero. the cell with the
formula to be blank....until i write something in my table.
i mean the formula to work after i write something in my table

thanks in advance