using functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of cells
 

Hmmm... having only 10 words as a subject to describe this problem seems
rather limiting. Come on, Microsoft, let me have 15 words!

I want to use Excel functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of
cell contents. I spoent a lot of time using Excel Help for functions like
VLOOKUP and IF, with no luck. I assume there is a functional solution, but I
could not figure it out in an hour. These are not easy functions for me to
use.

The TASK: compare name (text) AND a number in a set of columns with similar
(but not exact) info in another set of columns. I want to be able to have a
text string (ex: "Not in Bonus column") AS WELL AS a notation like "Number
mismatch".
There are more entries in one set of columns than another.

After much research, and trial & error, I was unsuccessful using a single
function to get the desired results.

I tried consolidating the text & number information in an additional column
using this formula: =B403&" "&F403 - info was in columns B & F

Then, I used: =VLOOKUP(BI402,$G$10:$H$433,1,FALSE) to compare the
consolidated info. The result was showing as, "#N/A", but it did not
distinguish between a mismatch of cell contents, or if matching information
was missing from a column.

Can you help me with this?

Mark D.
Boston, MA

using functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of cells
 

#N/A in this situation would mean that no match could be found in
column G of the lookup table. You could trap this using a construction
like =IF(ISNA(lookup_formula),"no match",lookup_formula).

Your vlookup formula has a third parameter of 1, meaning to return data
from the first column of the table - presumably you intended this to be
2? If it was set to 2 and there was a match on column 1 of the table
but no data in the adjacent column, you would get a returned value of
0, even if the cell was empty.

Hope this helps.

Pete

using functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of cells
 

For vlookup, Lookup_value (the first cell you put in the formula) is the
value to be found in the first column of the array-meaning you have to use
column A for the value to lookup, otherwise vlookup won't work. You can only
compare one item at a time, but you can just copy the vlookup formula over to
the next column.

"MDIAZ451" wrote:

Hmmm... having only 10 words as a subject to describe this problem seems
rather limiting. Come on, Microsoft, let me have 15 words!

I want to use Excel functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of
cell contents. I spoent a lot of time using Excel Help for functions like
VLOOKUP and IF, with no luck. I assume there is a functional solution, but I
could not figure it out in an hour. These are not easy functions for me to
use.

The TASK: compare name (text) AND a number in a set of columns with similar
(but not exact) info in another set of columns. I want to be able to have a
text string (ex: "Not in Bonus column") AS WELL AS a notation like "Number
mismatch".
There are more entries in one set of columns than another.

After much research, and trial & error, I was unsuccessful using a single
function to get the desired results.

I tried consolidating the text & number information in an additional column
using this formula: =B403&" "&F403 - info was in columns B & F

Then, I used: =VLOOKUP(BI402,$G$10:$H$433,1,FALSE) to compare the
consolidated info. The result was showing as, "#N/A", but it did not
distinguish between a mismatch of cell contents, or if matching information
was missing from a column.

Can you help me with this?

Mark D.
Boston, MA

using functions to compare multiple columns for mismatch of cells
 

If you can change the columns into text file, then you can try Texteer
software at: http://www.texteer.com
It provides several functions in which "Include Compare" function maybe
can solve your problem.The quote
page:http://www.texteer.com/windows/b0.sb1.1.htm