I have a spreadsheet that is stored in a shared location on a website that I need to do a Vlookup on in order to gather certain data. In order to test I have a Workbook stored in my documents. I have some VBA in this workbook but this does not affect the data in question.
The Formula that I am attempting is
=VLOOKUP("activated",$A4,4,TRUE)
What I need to do is to pull data from several columns in this sheet but I have not used Vlookup in a long time so I am trying to start small. I have formatted all of the cells to general but this has not helped.
I have also tried
=VLOOKUP("activated",$A2:$A71,4,TRUE)
However I constantly get the #REF error
Putting the following will return Activated so I know that in principal the formula is correct
=VLOOKUP("activated",$A2:$A71,1,TRUE)
I have looked at the answer submitted in Excel VLOOKUP #REF Error but this has not resulted in the correction of my errors
Any help would be greatly appreciated
The third argument is the column that you want to return... As there is only 1 column in the range $A2:$A71 you can't put 4 as the argument...
You probably need =VLOOKUP("activated",$A2:$D71,4,TRUE)
Also you should probably use FALSE for your last argument, as this can return the next closest match, if you use TRUE.
Range_lookup A logical value that specifies whether you want VLOOKUP to find an exact match or an approximate match:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/excel-help/vlookup-HP005209335.aspx
Related
I don't have any experience with creating excel data validation formulas.
I have 2 code formulas, which are generated in java code, which are coming from excel data validations:
COUNTA('User Input Sheet'!A:A)-4
IF(COUNTA(INDIRECT(ADDRESS(ROW(A5),COLUMN(A5),1,1,"User Input Sheet") & ":" & ADDRESS(ROW(AJ5),COLUMN(AJ5))))=0, "","POP")
Can someone help me how to write the data validation formula for the above two, as I have to use for different cells, but don't know how to put in cell data validation ?
Providing more information on what it is you're actually trying to do, will help you, as well as helping anyone who's trying to help you. e.g.:
Your 1st formula returns the number of non-empty cells in column A of a sheet, less 4.
But you don't say if the cell being validated needs to be more, less, the same or not the same as that. If you know the answer to that, the formula as is (with = in front) will work directly in the Data Validation 'value range' fields. e.g.:
The above example validates that a cell value is between zero and the results of the formula.
Suggest adapting and applying that, and if you're not getting the expect result, explain what you were aiming for, what you did, and what the results are.
=====================================================
The second formula is more problematic in terms of trying to guess what it is you're trying to do.
One thing I'll point out first thought: it uses INDIRECT in a completely unnecessary way (and that's inherently unwise). So the first thing to do is covert to a direct reference per:
=IF(COUNTA('User Input Sheet'!A5:J5)=0, "","POP")
But even then, you have a formula that returns a zero-length string ("") or literal 'POP' (based on A5:J5 being empty or not).
And it's unclear how you intend to use that to validate a cell. One guess would be the user has to enter "POP" or nothing (depending on A5:J5 being populated or not). But that seems to be an odd thing to do.
I've been struggling with this longer than I care to admit, but I have a fairly simple OFFSET function call which works on one sheet, but if I copy it to a different sheet it gives a #VALUE error.
On a sheet named "Deliverable" I have this formula in a cell:
=OFFSET(Deliverable!$B$72,1,0,,3)
and it works fine.
If I go to any other sheet and use the same exact formula, or use it in the Name Manager, it gives a #VALUE error.
If I leave off the final parameter indicated the number of columns I want, it does work:
=OFFSET(Deliverable!$B$72,1,0)
but of course isn't giving me the range I need.
Any idea what's going on with this?
I'm using Excel 2016 on Windows 7.
-- Updated Info --
In a nutshell, my spreadsheet has two cells which I'm using as dropdown lists, where the 2nd cell's list feeds off the selection in the first. The data they are based on has this format:
OptionA A B C D
OptionB A B
OptionC D E F
So the first dropdown uses a simple Data Validation source pointing to the column with OptionA, OptionB, etc. Once that's chosen, the second dropdown list should contain the appropriate options for the one selected. So if OptionB is selected, then the 2nd dropdown list should show A and B.
When I initially wrote this, the data validation source was just a simple VLOOKUP entry, but the lists often had blanks since the number of options varies for each entry. Wanting to fix it up a bit, I ended up with this formula:
=OFFSET(Deliverable!B72,Deliverable!B87,0,1,COUNTA(OFFSET(Deliverable!B72,Deliverable!B87,0,1,5)))
There won't be any more than 5 options, and there are no empty cells in the middle of the data to filter out.
In one spreadsheet I have I used this as a named range definition, then specified the named range for the cells data validation source and it worked. In this other spreadsheet however, it gave me the error described earlier.
However, it looks like when I enter the statement directly into the data validation source field and not in the name manager, it works as expected.
Am I taking the totally wrong approach?
What is it that you want this formula to do? As written, it is returning a block of three horizontal cells. The #VALUE error is Excel's way of telling you "Hey, you're trying to return three cells, but I can't fit them all in the one cell that you are calling this formula from".
The reason you see a result in some places and not others is because of something called Implicit Intersection. Give it a spin on Google. But basically, it just returns whichever one of those three results corresponds to the column that the formula is entered into. If you copy that exact same formula to say row F you will see that it returns a #VALUE error there, because it doesn't know what cell it should return given the column you're calling it from doesn't match any of the cells it is returning. The fact that you don't know this indicates that the formula you're using doesn't in fact do what you think it does.
--UPDATE --
Okay, following your further clarificaiton it seems that you're talking about Cascading Dropdowns aka Dynamic Dropdowns. Lots of info on Google about how to set these up, but you may be interested in an approach I blogged about sometime back that not only provides this functionality, but also ensures that someone can't later on go and change the 'upstream' dropdown without first clearing the 'downstream' one should they want to make a change.
Note that those links talk about a slightly complicated method compared to others, but the method has it's advantages in that it also handles more levels than two, and your DV lists are easily maintained as they live in an Excel Table.
This sounds like an array equation. Try hitting Ctrl+Shift+Enter in the other sheets to validate it as an array equation.
Whenever you need to reference ranges instead of single cells, Excel needs to know that you are working with arrays.
The vlookup function appears to be broken. It is returning the same value for all lookups, but it should not.
I have it set like so:
=VLOOKUP(A3, Asset_Mapping!A$2:B$673, 1)
Where the lookup value is in the B column and the result is in the A column.
I use the $ so the rows are not auto-updated to A3:B674 etc as I paste the formula down the rows. However, even if I manually enter that formula into the next row, it is not finding the correct value.
IF i remove the "$", the correct values are found for the first rows where the values fall within the modified range (e.g. Asset_Mapping!A3:B674) but eventually as expected it stops finding the values as the range is invalid.
What am I doing incorrectly here? I have formulas set to auto-calculate.
Without testing on your actual data it's hard to confirm this will work but add the false parameter. This will find exact matches and not the first partial match.
=VLOOKUP(A3, Asset_Mapping!A$2:B$673, 1, false)
Collating the points together and clarifying the formula
Parameter 1: The value you are looking for
Parameter 2: The table with the data. First column is the value you are looking for.
Parameter 3: The column number of the value you want to show.
Parameter 4: If you want an exact match or partial match.
#Jeeped made the point of ordering data to get more reliable results. Good advice.
Andres has the right idea, but there is a faster way to fix the problem.
If it is returning the same value over and over again for your whole range, you probably have your Calculation Options set to "Manual".
Go into Formulas on the top ribbon and choose Calculation Options. There, you can change your calc method to "Automatic".
Also lookup value must be in first column.
Where the lookup value is in the B column and the result is in the A column.
VLOOKUP always lookup in the left-most column and returns a value from the column number specified. If you want to reverse the lookup/return order then use INDEX(..., MATCH(...))
=INDEX(Asset_Mapping!A$2:A$673, MATCH(A3, Asset_Mapping!B$2:B$673, 0))
Note that you were using a sorted, binary lookup; I've changed this to an exact match lookup which does not require sorted data.
Just in case adding a solution to this topic.
Don't know why in big tables Vlookup and Index+Match tend to show just the value of the first result in all the other cells.
In my case to fix this, after I've copied the formula in the whole range, I choose any cell containing it, press F2 and then Enter. It kind of forces excel to process everything.
I've been working on this for a week with no results. I've created this same spreadsheet for another apartment community without any issues, but for some reason, I cannot get the proper results in this spreadsheet. I've tried vlookup as well, but that didn't help either. any more advice?
Formula
Result and lookup vectors
What I am trying to achieve is matching two projects with eachother "Project No" in two tables, and return the "project name" in second table. When I do this I receive this error inside the cell error #N/A.
I have formated both tables into number value, but this does not solve the problem.
Anyone that has an idea what I can do in order to solve this problem.
Here is the first table (just a snapshot to give an idea).
Here is the second table (just a snapshot to give an idea).
The #N/A error indicates that Excel cannot find the value you've specified in the list in which you've told it look. When I run into this, there are a few things I do to troubleshoot:
1) Make sure both columns are in the same format.
You mention you've already done this (good job!) but sometimes formatting gets stuck in Excel. One thing you can do is to highlight each range and use the text to columns feature (under the data tab) to convert it all to the same format. Another option is to copy the range into Notepad or some other plain text editor and then copy it back into Excel to strip out any lingering formatting.
2) Double check your ranges.
Make sure your Vlookup is looking to the correct range, and make sure that range is locked (i.e. $A$1:$D$100 rather than A1:D100), or else your ranges are going to slide around as you move drag the formula down your table. If the range refers explicitly to a table address (e.g. Table1[#All]), then make sure every data point if validly within that table.
3) Make sure the range lookup parameter is set to FALSE
Range lookup is the last parameter of the vlookup, and determines whether the vlookup will find an exact match (set range lookup to FALSE) or a partial match (set range lookup to TRUE). Setting range lookup to TRUE can sometimes create errors like the one you've described. I always set it to FALSE by default unless I need specifically need to set it to TRUE.
4) Use the find and replace window to manually evaluate the formula
If everything looks correct, copy the value you want to look up and paste it into the find and replace window to search for it. If Excel can't find it and you can see it in your list, something is definitely wrong with the formatting or else your file may have some degree of corruption. If Excel can find the value, double check that it is within the range your vlookup is looking through.
If fist table is the one with vlookup formula and second is a source it may mean that such Project No. doesn't exist in your source table. Did you check that possibility?
I'm looking for a little bit of help learning about how to use vlookup and iferror formulas together.
I am working as a licensing specialist within the insurance industry. My job requires that I frequently access more than a dozen spreadsheets that are emailed to us on a weekly basis from our clients. I am working to develop tools that allow us to consolidate that information on-demand to be able to run reports. I'm having no trouble using the VLookup function to pull data from various spreadsheets using an unique identifier. I do need some help, however, with a trickier formula.
I have put together a spreadsheet that allows me to put in the ID of the representative and it returns various bits of information, such as their name, license numbers, job codes, etc. Now I need to come up with a formula that takes the value returned in the job code field and searches another spreadsheet to return what training they are required to complete based on their job code. This spreadsheet is about 2000 rows, and is formatted with the training names spanning across the top row, job codes listed in column "A" and the word "yes" in each column that matches a training that the job code is required to take.
It looks like this: https://i.imgur.com/71COmfF.png
I need the formula in my reports spreadsheet to lookup the job code using VLookup and then return the column header if the cell has text.
The data will be loaded into this spreadsheet: https://i.imgur.com/2CyFURt.png
Here is the Vlookup formula I am using to get the job code:
=VLOOKUP(B3,'.\[Weekly_HR_Report_040615.xlsx]HR'!$A:$Q,10,FALSE)
How can I pair that same kind of formula with something like an IfError formula to return the column header if there is a "Yes" in the cell of the row that matches their job code?
I know that I can work through it as an array using VBA, but I would prefer to just place a formula in each cell so that I can pass this spreadsheet to another college when I move to a different role in the future and they won't struggle too much with adding to it.
Thanks for any help that you might be able to provide! I really appreciate it!
I would use INDEX and MATCH to cross reference and retrieve the titles where applicable:
=IF(INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,MATCH($H$5,'JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A:$A,0),2)="Yes",INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,1,2),"")
=IF(INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,MATCH($H$5,'JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A:$A,0),3)="Yes",INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,1,3),"")
=IF(INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,MATCH($H$5,'JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A:$A,0),4)="Yes",INDEX('JobCode_Training.xlsx'!$A$1:$H$6,1,4),"")
etc.
I wasn't sure what your reference table is saved as, so you'll need to replace 'JobCode_Training.xlsx'! with whatever the correct path is.
Since you have multiple trainings that can apply to each jobcode, you'll either need to have multiple cells for the results, or you can concatenate them into one.
The following article from excelvlookuphelp.com answers your question I believe...
The Problem
You might be expecting that not all of your search values are going to return something from the search table. Instead of the formula returning #N/A you’d like the result to look different when your vlookup value isn’t found (either blank or an indicator to show that the value hasn’t been found or a zero if you’re wanting to do maths with the results).
The Solution
You can use the iferror function.
It works like this
= iferror (YourVlookupFormula, WhatToSayInsteadOf#N/A)
Here’s an example
=iferror(vlookup(D3,A:C,3,false), “No Value Found”)
Or if you would rather it was just blank then instead of having No Value Found, just have the two sets of inverted commas, like this
=iferror(vlookup(D3,A:C,3,false), “”)
source: excelvlookuphelp