Vlokoup - non unique values in lookup columns

[BobbM424]

I am trying to use a vlookup function to extract data from a large spreadsheet into a more concise version. However not all of my lookup values are unique. With a basic vlookup function it always gives me the values in the row associated with the first instance of my lookup ID. Is there a function that will allow the formula to pull the values in the row of a duplicate ID?

 

[hedgie]

You need unique values to get an accurate answer. One way you can accomplish this is to add a column which gives a further identifier - i.e. if your lookup column is "Category" then you can add a column that has "Month". Then you add a third column that combines the two using "a1&b1" This combined column will provide a unique identifier for your search.

 

[dave3009]

Why not use advanced filter to copy Unique records only to a different range

It is quite simple to do

Go to Data>>Filter>>Advanced Filter

adjust ranges to suit and find a nice free range to paste your new unique list to

HTH

Dave

 

[BobbM424]

Does the "a1&b1" work when cells are on a different tab and contain alpha-numeric ID's? I tried using "=a1+b1" and got a unique value when my ID was only numbers but it didn't work when the ID contained letters as well.

 

[Gerald Higgins]

If your IDs contain letters, try instead

=a1&b1

 

[Aladin Akyurek]

I am trying to use a vlookup function to extract data from a large spreadsheet into a more concise version. However not all of my lookup values are unique. With a basic vlookup function it always gives me the values in the row associated with the first instance of my lookup ID. Is there a function that will allow the formula to pull the values in the row of a duplicate ID?

Care to post a small sample?