Using VLOOKUP function in conjuction with Data Validation List


Posted by Marybeth Wiktor on September 18, 2001 11:45 AM

Is there a way to use the VLOOKUP function, while using the Data Validation drop-down list, so that any value chosen in the Data Validation cell will have a populated value in the cell with the VLOOKUP formula? I tried using the "IF" formula with VLOOKUP but cannot figure out how to retrieve a value rather than a blank cell or a cell with a "TRUE" or "FALSE" value.



Posted by Aladin Akyurek on September 18, 2001 11:58 AM

Suppose your data validation cell is A1 in sheet X, the value of A1 (a choice that is made) is your lookup value. And you have a 2-column table, say, in E1:F10 in sheet Y from which you want to retrieve the value associated with the choice that is made.

=VLOOKUP(A1,X!E1:F10,2,0),

entered in a cell, say, B1 in X will give you the associated value.

Is that what you're looking for?

Aladin