Is there a way to keep raw data cells in line with cells that have imported data (see post for better explanation)

[Kimber33]

Hi everyone,

My problem is this: I have a spreadsheet that I import data in to columns A:E (name,site,contract,manager and Id) next to this in columns F:Q is manually entered data (skills). What I want to happen is when the imported data is updated, the names etc move up and down, and I want the cells in the manually updated columns to move in line with the changes. I should also note that all columns have an autofilter (if that makes a difference) Can this be done??? Please help, I've not got a lot of hair left!

 

[jessiegeorgia]

Hi Kimber, are you sorting or filtering the imported data to move it up and down? If so you can extend the sort/filter to the manually populated cells - or do you need vlookups to populate columns F:Q based on criteria in the imported cells, references in vlookups can be fixed with $s
Jess

 

[Kimber33]

Hi Kimber, are you sorting or filtering the imported data to move it up and down? If so you can extend the sort/filter to the manually populated cells - or do you need vlookups to populate columns F:Q based on criteria in the imported cells, references in vlookups can be fixed with $s
Jess

Hi Jess,

Thank you for your reply, vlookup is not used on columns F:Q and the autofilter has been expanded across the manually updated columns as well. However when the imported data is refreshed, the rows in columns F:Q stay the same and don't move. This causes the data in manual cells to be out of line with imported data. I used the autofilter as I thought this would keep them in line, but it doesnt

 

[jessiegeorgia]

How are you importing the data?

 

[Kimber33]

The data is Imported from a text file

 

[jessiegeorgia]

...by copying and pasting?

 

[Kimber33]

...by copying and pasting?

Sorry, I should of explained better. No its imported using 'import external data' (on excel 2003 - data, import external data, import data)

 

[jessiegeorgia]

Oh right, I can't remember that version very well, do you use the wizard and specify the destination? You can choose between pasting entirely new rows or columns or overwriting existing data somewhere in the process

 

[Kimber33]

Yes I specify the destination, and have chose the option of overwrite with new data and clear unused cells.