I would like to merge two seperate spread sheets by matching the unique data
that appears in one column on each of the two spread sheets. Example one
sheet as 20 columns one of which is serial number, the other has 10 columns
one of which is serial number. I would like to end up with one spread sheet
with 30 columns where the data comes together only when the serial numbers
match.

Hi

you should be able to use VLOOKUP for this.

assuming worksheet A (the 20 column one has all the serial numbers you
want), and column A contains the serial number. Go to cell
U2 (i'm assuming this is your first blank column in this sheet) and type

=VLOOKUP($A2,Sheet2!$A$2:$J$1000,2,0)
then fill across the ten columns, in column V change the formula to
=VLOOKUP($A2,Sheet2!$A$2:$J$1000,3,0)
in W to
=VLOOKUP($A2,Sheet2!$A$2:$J$1000,4,0)
etc
then fill down all the necessary rows .. this should populate these 10
columns as required. You can then select them and use copy, edit / paste
special / values to convert them to values after you have your information.

Note, the VLOOKUP function requires that the first column mentioned in the
2nd parameter contains the data that matches the lookup value (the 1st
parameter) i.e. your serial numbers need to be in column A in the worksheet
with the 10 columns.

hope this helps
Cheers
JulieD

"ronski1" wrote in message
...
I would like to merge two seperate spread sheets by matching the unique
data
that appears in one column on each of the two spread sheets. Example one
sheet as 20 columns one of which is serial number, the other has 10
columns
one of which is serial number. I would like to end up with one spread
sheet
with 30 columns where the data comes together only when the serial numbers
match.