Hello,

I am using Microsoft Excel 2007 and operating Windows XP.

I have created reference tables in 'workbook 1' that contain electrical data (i.e. voltages, amperages, horse power etc.), this table is constant and remains closed. Note: All electrical tables are thorough, meaning that they have cross-referencing rows and column of numerical entries indicating say horse power or voltage with equivalent electrical amperage.

Now, I am working on 'workbook 2' where I am entering mechanical equipment that usually indicates the horse power necessary to operate it and I want to be able to:

1: Access the electrical tables in workbook 1.
2: Search the correct table, on the correct sheet, for the electrical information corresponding to the specific horse power of the piece of equipment in question.
3. Return the data entry found in the electrical tables to my open work book, that lists the mechanical equipment.

My thought process so far:

1. I believe I need to use VBA
2. I need to access the closed workbook 1 and search for the correct table on the correct sheet (If I were to create a function on my open workbook 2, I could specify the sheet and starting cell of closed workbook 1 to begin the search for data. Also, I will need to indicate the file path of closed workbook 1.)
3. I need to be able to search down a column for the entry that matches my mechanical equipment horse power then move laterally across the row, to the correct column, to find the needed value. A generic search program to perform a cross referencing search of a table would be really good.
4. At this point, have the found value inputted in my open workbook 2.

What I have tried:

1. Search the web extensively for ideas about accessing the closed workbook (not sure of the programming format to opening the workbook, sheet specifying the table.)
2. Search for ideas on how to set up the most efficient way to search the electrical tables.
3. Started learning how to work with functions, modules, VBA and the developer toolkit in excel.

My problems:

1. I do not know how to program in VBA very well.
2. I am not sure of the most efficient way to organize my thoughts about how to proceed with this problem or incorporate the various if, loop, and access commands (i.e. what is the format to opening the closed workbook?).

Those are the basics. Any help would be greatly appreciated and would make my task much more simplistic.

Thank you for your time,
Hugh