Experts,

I am currently using a function that seems too complicated and will not work
on excel 2003. What I am trying to accomplish is to match the first 1 to 5
characters (strings contain 1-5 letters then sets of numbers separated by
"x" I am only interested in the first 1-5 letters) from one table to a
second table (on the same sheet) and return the value in the next column.
This is what I am currently doing:

=IFERROR(LOOKUP(LEFT(D6,5),$V$34:$V$52,$W$34:$W$52 ),IFERROR(LOOKUP(LEFT(D6,4),$V$34:$V$52,$W$34:$W$5 2),IFERROR(LOOKUP(LEFT(D6,3),$V$34:$V$52,$W$34:$W$ 52),IFERROR(LOOKUP(LEFT(D6,2),$V$34:$V$52,$W$34:$W $52),IFERROR(LOOKUP(LEFT(D6,1),$V$34:$V$52,$W$34:$ W$52),0)))))

Table 1
D E E(output)
5 A1x23 <equation 1
6 BC4x4 <equation 3
7 AAG2x3 <equation 2
8 BC2x1 <equation 3

Table 2
V W
34 A 1
35 AAG 2
36 BC 3
.... ... ...
54 AECD 4

I would like to accomplish the same task while being compatible with 2003.
Making the formula more straight forward would be a plus however isn't
entirely necessary.

Thank you
Ryan