Name matching

[Randombard]

Hi All,

I have a problem with name matching.

I have 2 databases that I have inherited both containing the same account names.

I need to combine these names into one summary page/reference page.

My problem arrises where the names have either been spelt wrong or are entered differently.

I.e

DB1
Bob Simmon

DB2
Simmon Bob

I have experimented with:

=IF(ISERROR(LOOKUP(2^15,SEARCH($D2,INDIRECT("Result"&I$1)),Result1)),IF(ISERROR(LOOKUP(2^15,SEARCH(INDIRECT("Result"&I$1),$D2),Result1)),J2,LOOKUP(2^15,SEARCH(INDIRECT("Result"&I$1),$D2),Result1)),LOOKUP(2^15,SEARCH($D2,INDIRECT("Result"&I$1)),Result1))

and many variants/ranges

To a certain level of success but this does through up incorrect results and on occation no results at all.

I am happy to go ptogramaticaly with this, if there are any suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Randombard]

I was wondering if there was a way to apply a value each letter in a name so that I can limmit the range that I am looking upto?

E.G.

A = 1
B = 2
C = 3

Cell value = ABC

So the cell would be part of the lookup range 6

 

[msaiyad]

Use text to columns and split names and again join at correct position

Go To data
TEXT TO COLUMNS
this may work

 

[Randombard]

Hi thanks for the suggestion but I have over 3000 names to check and all of varying type.

I.E

Not just a person name but the name of an account. Like

DB1
DataLife

DB2
Datalfe

They can also be anything upto 20 spaces in an account name

That kind of thing.

Any ideas