VLOOKUP Help

[adelao747]

Hello,

I am having an issue with looking-up a name using VLOOKUP. Essentially, I have a list of employees' names in a table. On a separate tab, I have another table where I am using the VLOOKUP function. I want to set-it-up by being able to type an employees ID number and get their name in the adjacent cell. I've only been able to get VLOOKUP to work if I type the employees name and get the ID number to pop-up in the adjacent cell. I want to do it the other way round, where when I type the ID number, the employees name comes-up. I'm using the standard VLOOKUP formula; =VLOOKUP(A1, Table6, 2, False). A1 is where the ID number is and B1 is where the employee name is. Does anyone know how I can type the ID number in A1 and get the employee name in B1?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

[FDibbins]

The criteria for vlookup (the 1st argument) must be in the 1st column of the vlookup range. vlookup cannot "look behind" itself. ie you cannot find something in C and return something from B
2 ways around this...
1. Create a helper column to the left of your data and reference the criteria range
2. (preferred) use INDEX/MATCH instead