Hi Steve,
with vlookup it's true, but you have other options to look for values or
text like sumproduct, index and match, where you don't need to have
evertything in the leftmost column or ordered in ascending order look at
Debra web it will give an idea or the other options

http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions03.html

http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions05.html

If this was helpful please click Yes. thanks



"Steve" wrote:

Table (leftmost) must be in ascending order. Then is it correct that you
cannot use the same table to look for a different value in a different column
?
Also, if it is not in ascending order, is it true that some of the values
may still be correct, but some are incorrect.

Thanks,

Steve