Vlookup: giving me REF# problems. Help
 

Here is what I would like a formula to do???

I have two workbooks- I will place the formula only in one and extract
data/info. from the other.

What I want the formula to do is...
I want it to search through a column of product codes from the other
workbook (numbers, e.g. 21, 22) and when the desired code (let's say 21) is
detected. I want it to return the information (text info) from a different
column (I.E. transaction description) but the same row as the desired result
(21).

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND HAVE DONE BUT DOES NOT WORK...
What I get back is a reference error (REF)...Why is this occuring? What can
I do to try to fix it?
If I change the column I want back the only one that gives me anything is 1.
And it just returns 21??


Your product code is in column A of both and your text to return is in
column B of Sheet2, then in Sheet1, type:

=VLOOKUP(A2,Sheet2!A:B,2,0)

This will return the value in sheet2, column A that matches the value in A2
of Sheet1 and return the matching value from column B.

If your product is in column B and text is in A, it will not work. you must
start with the lookup value and return a value to the right of it.

Vlookup: giving me REF# problems. Help
 

The second parameter in the VLOOKUP function defines the table where
you want to find matching data - this might be something like:

Sheet1!A$2:F$10

In this case, the table is 6 columns wide (A to F), and so the next
parameter could be anything from 1 to 6, as this determines which
column the data should be brought from when a match is found.

I suspect that your table has just been defined as a single column
table (eg A1:A100), and so you will only be able to return data from
column 1 - other values will give rise to the #REF error.

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Dec 4, 6:26*pm, Dave wrote:
Here is what I would like a formula to do???

I have two workbooks- *I will place the formula only in one and extract
*data/info. from the other.

What I want the formula to do is...
I want it to search through a column of product codes from the other
workbook (numbers, e.g. 21, 22) and when the desired code (let's say 21) is
detected. *I want it to return the information (text info) from a different
column (I.E. transaction description) but the same row as the desired result
(21).

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND HAVE DONE BUT DOES NOT WORK...
What I get back is a reference error (REF)...Why is this occuring? *What can
I do to try to fix it? *
If I change the column I want back the only one that gives me anything is 1.
*And it just returns 21??

Your product code is in column A of both and your text to return is in



column B of Sheet2, then in Sheet1, type:

=VLOOKUP(A2,Sheet2!A:B,2,0)

This will return the value in sheet2, column A that matches the value in A2
of Sheet1 and return the matching value from column B.

If your product is in column B and text is in A, it will not work. you must
start with the lookup value and return a value to the right of it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Vlookup: giving me REF# problems. Help
 

hI,

If your working in 2 workbooks then the reference to the lookup range must
include the workbook name

=VLOOKUP(A2,[Book2]Sheet2!$A:$B,2,0)

If it's different worksheets in the same workbook then this does it

=VLOOKUP(A2,'Sheet 2'!A:B,2,0)

Mike


"Dave" wrote:

Here is what I would like a formula to do???

I have two workbooks- I will place the formula only in one and extract
data/info. from the other.

What I want the formula to do is...
I want it to search through a column of product codes from the other
workbook (numbers, e.g. 21, 22) and when the desired code (let's say 21) is
detected. I want it to return the information (text info) from a different
column (I.E. transaction description) but the same row as the desired result
(21).

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND HAVE DONE BUT DOES NOT WORK...
What I get back is a reference error (REF)...Why is this occuring? What can
I do to try to fix it?
If I change the column I want back the only one that gives me anything is 1.
And it just returns 21??


Your product code is in column A of both and your text to return is in
column B of Sheet2, then in Sheet1, type:

=VLOOKUP(A2,Sheet2!A:B,2,0)

This will return the value in sheet2, column A that matches the value in A2
of Sheet1 and return the matching value from column B.

If your product is in column B and text is in A, it will not work. you must
start with the lookup value and return a value to the right of it.