Try this array formula** :

=T(INDEX(B2:B6,MATCH(TRUE,A2:A6=MIN(IF(A2:A6=TODA Y(),A2:A6)),0)))

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER). Hold down both the CTRL key and the SHIFT
key then hit ENTER.

If there is no date =today you'll get a #N/A error.

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Tom_uk" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I cant seem to get this to work properly.

(see below)
I have a list of dates, firstly the 5 previous days then the weeks
previous
to that. Next to some of these dates will be an action - this can change
depending on the project. The idea is to have a prompter tell me what the
next action is due depending on the day eg. last friday i completed C, now
its monday and D is due this coming thursday.

Everytime i do a VLOOKUP all i get is the first action despite what date i
reference to!

current date: TODAY() eg. 10/05/09

A B
1 28/05/09 security passes due
2 21/05/09
3 14/05/09 email guest list
4 07/05/09 send out rsvp
5 31/04/09 finalise colourscheme

next action: "email guest list"

Is this possible?