try this idea
=VLOOKUP("124*",G3:H6,2,0)

--
Don Guillett
Microsoft MVP Excel
SalesAid Software

"Kay" wrote in message
...
Hello and Happy New Year!

I am working on a special project that requires me to match file names on
two different directories. Some of the file names are in another lanquage
and use accent marks, etc. When I use a Vlookup, it returns no match even
if
I can see the file in the other list. I assume it has something to do
with
the accent marks, etc. Each file name also has a unique 16 digit number
at
the beginning. I hoped I could tell the Vlookup to match the first
sixteen
characters. Even though I know it is there, the formula returns NA#. My
formula looks like this: =VLOOKUP(LEFT(D45790,LEN(16)),'X
Drive'!$D$45790:$D$60000,1,FALSE).