Try Vlookup. Here's some info from Excel-help:

VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,ran ge_lookup)

Notice: Range_lookup is a logical value that specifies whether you want
VLOOKUP to find an exact match or an approximate match. If TRUE or omitted,
an approximate match is returned. In other words, if an exact match is not
found, the next largest value that is less than lookup_value is returned. If
FALSE, VLOOKUP will find an exact match. If one is not found, the error value
#N/A is returned.

This is a good resource too:
http://www.contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html

--
Ryan---
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"Tarquin Krikery" wrote:

Hi I have a bit of a problem I'm hoping someone can help with. Not sure if
what I want to do is possible within Excel so any help would be gratefully
received!

Ok I have two tables. One is a list of leads that reads something like this:

Post Sect Lead Date
NR1 8 20091218
NR1 8 20091220
CB1 7 20090921
CB1 7 20091211

It's a list of all the leads we have generated from our leafleting.

there is also another table below with a list of all the dates and postal
sectors our company has delivered a leaflet to in the past year.

Post Sect Drop Date Drop No
NR1 8 20091018 1
NR1 8 20091201 2
CB1 7 20090917 1
CB1 7 20091201 2
NE13 9 20091208 1

The date format is from our system so I know it's a little unusual.

Anyway, what I want to do is perform a vlookup (or something else whatever
is needed) to look at the postal sector of a lead and then work out which of
the drops the lead responds to. Obviously it will be the drop occasion either
equal to or previous to the input date (i.e it will be the same day or prior
to the input date, not after it.

Anyone have a clue how I can do this? It's making my head spin. I've tried
using a combo of Vlookups and If's but can't get it to work.