How to sum data across sheets if data matches

[tkroper]

Hi friends!

I often have workbooks containing several sheets with matching formats: usually one column lists names, and other columns list forms of payroll (one column may list overtime, another Gross pay, etc.). Each sheet represents a different time period (pay periods, or months, or quarters).

I would like to add a recap sheet that sums the payrolls for each employee name, however, some names drop off as employees terminate, and others add on as new employees are hired.

This formua would work if not for the inconsistencies between sheets: =SUM('gross_earnings 3rd Q 2010:gross_earnings 2nd Q 2011'!I2)

The name on 'gross_earnings 3rd Q 2010' in column F may not match the name on the other three sheets in column F, therefore, the payroll total for column I would be inaccurate.

I guess I would need a formula to compile a list of all the names from the other sheets, then another to sum the payrolls for each name? Is this possible?

Thank you for your help!

 

[raghavender]

I think you can use the VLOOKUP function and named ranges to do this calculation...