I am using index(match()) to link two sets of data together. The key column
is alpha-numeric in the format 000000A where the last character can be an X
or a number.

E.g: In the lookup worksheet the values a

044507X 50000537
044510X 50001148
10111 50000533
10154 50000459
10162 50001154

The problem is, I am only getting results where the matching values contain
an X as the final character all the rest product #N/A.

I beleive this to be a data type problem and have found some advice about
changing registry values (ImportMixedTypes = Text, TypeGuessRows = 0, IMEX =
1) to stop Excel making incorrect assumptions about data types.

Problem is my desktop is locked-down so that I cannot change the registry.

Is there a way I can control Excel's data typing directly using a formula?