Simple vlookup giving me #N/A error

[Linzexcel]

I am trying to do a very simple vlookup function but it only gives me the #N/A error. I am simply trying to pull a person's name that matches to an account name. I cannot see why it would give me this error??? Do i need to add a match function? It seems so simple and shouldn't need anything else?

 

[Fluff]

Can you post some sample data along with the formula you are using.

MrExcel has a tool called “XL2BB” that lets you post samples of your data that will allow us to copy/paste it to our Excel spreadsheets, so we can work with the same copy of data that you are. Instructions on using this tool can be found here: XL2BB Add-in

Note that there is also a "Test Here” forum on this board. This is a place where you can test using this tool (or any other posting techniques that you want to test) before trying to use those tools in your actual posts.

 

[Linzexcel]

Sales Person	Account		Sales Person	Account
Person 1	A		#N/A​	A
Person 1	A			B
Person 1	B			C
Person 1	B			D
Person 1	C			E
Person 1	C			F
Person 1	D			G
Person 1	E			H
Person 1	E			I
Person 1	E			J
Person 1	F
Person 2	G
Person 2	G
Person 2	G
Person 2	H
Person 2	H
Person 2	H
Person 2	I
Person 2	I
Person 2	J

=VLOOKUP(E2,A:B,1,0)

So I am trying to make a clean list without all of the duplicates. Does this make sense?

 

[Fluff]

If you just want the distinct values, how about

Fluff.xlsm
	A	B	C	D	E
1	Sales Person	Account		Sales Person	Account
2	Person 1	A		Person 1	A
3	Person 1	A		Person 1	B
4	Person 1	B		Person 1	C
5	Person 1	B		Person 1	D
6	Person 1	C		Person 1	E
7	Person 1	C		Person 1	F
8	Person 1	D		Person 2	G
9	Person 1	E		Person 2	H
10	Person 1	E		Person 2	I
11	Person 1	E		Person 2	J
12	Person 1	F
13	Person 2	G
14	Person 2	G
15	Person 2	G
16	Person 2	H
17	Person 2	H
18	Person 2	H
19	Person 2	I
20	Person 2	I
21	Person 2	J
22
Data

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
D2:E11	D2	=UNIQUE(FILTER(A2:B200,A2:A200<>""))
Dynamic array formulas.

 

[Linzexcel]

Hmmm, that is an interesting formula, I have never used it before but unfortunately it is not working. It simply gets rid of all the duplicate accounts but just listed out all of the sales employees without regard to which account they belong to.

 

[Linzexcel]

Wait, nevermind...I see what you are doing and what I did wrong. It did actually work how you intended...the only problem is I have a 3rd column of data that involves $ spent and that's I need it to be more of a vlookup style to match it to where I have each account listed.

 

[Fluff]

the only problem is I have a 3rd column of data

In that case can you post some realistic data, along with expected results.