How can VLOOKUP identify between multiple choices for > 1 batch?
 

We are a manufacturing unit and produce mulitple items from one job. So Job
"A" may result in products "B" & "C". VLOOKUP will only find the first
instance when running stock reports as it only searches on 1 column. Is
there a way to have this function look at multiple (2 columns) and return a
value?

Hi Ivan,

Is there a way to have this function look at multiple (2
columns) and return a value?

you can add a column to your data that combines the 2 columns just by
eg. formula in A1 =B1&C1. if this formula is in the first column of
your data, vlookup will find it. However, this will only work correctly
if B1&C1 is a unique value.

arno

"Ivan Thorn" <Ivan ha scritto nel messaggio


We are a manufacturing unit and produce mulitple items from one job.
So Job "A" may result in products "B" & "C". VLOOKUP will only find
the first instance when running stock reports as it only searches on
1 column. Is there a way to have this function look at multiple (2
columns) and return a value?


Maybe you can find some ideas at Chip Pearson's site:

http://www.cpearson.com/excel/lookups.htm

--
Hoping to be helpful...

Regards

Franz

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To reply translate from italian InVento (no capital letters)
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Thankyou, I feel so stupid to have missed this, but it works a treat

Thanks again



"arno" wrote:

Hi Ivan,

Is there a way to have this function look at multiple (2
columns) and return a value?

you can add a column to your data that combines the 2 columns just by
eg. formula in A1 =B1&C1. if this formula is in the first column of
your data, vlookup will find it. However, this will only work correctly
if B1&C1 is a unique value.

arno

Hi Ivan,

...it works a treat

glad to hear that. However, pls. consider the link franz suggested. in
my solution you need an extra column with formulas with the "key" to
the database and a simple lookup. the other solution does not require
an extra column, however, the lookup is a bit tricky.

arno