evaluate by a "mask"
 

Hi,

I'd like to ask for help in the following problem:
col A contains alphanumeric values of different lenght (<20 characters) made
up to
describe a different number of properties. Col B contains "key"s (also
alphanumeric).
I'd like to check, wheter a portion of a key of given (in D1) lenght
[left(Bi;d1)] is included in any (which) of Ai (the proprties index) and how
many times the given key can be used.
Example:
colA: rgt3huw57jfuhu; huwz57jkrt; o7jf800f; rgt8huw6hzz;.......
ColB huw5cf9; 57jf8ac5; uwz5j9; 7jf8kol;........
if d1=3 then b1 will open a1, a2,and a4; b2 will open a1, a2; b3 will do
only a2; b4 will do only a1 and a3
if d1=4 then b1 will open a1, a2,; b2 will open a1; b3 will do a2; b4 only
a3.
Any suggestions ?
Many thanks in advance!