Vlookup only when neighbouring cell has data

[coughoxford]

Hi , I am trying to remember a simple formula I prepared many years ago but am missing a stage ... I have a excel spreadsheet where I want a vlookup to work in cell C2 only when there is data in B2 . I have tried using = if(b2,"",(vlookup(b2,datasheet!A:E,5,false)) but it doesnt return anything even though I have checked the data is there . It will be someone thing simple but am stuck ! TYIA

 

[kevin9999]

Try =if(b2<>"",(vlookup...

 

[coughoxford]

Try =if(b2<>"",(vlookup...

Thanks Kevin , almost there .... it will look up a value based on =IF(B2 <>"",VLOOKUP(B2,Sheet2!A:E,5,FALSE)) but just returns FALSE B2 is empty ? Thanks for any help

 

[Joe4]

IF formulas have two three clauses:
- the condition(s) to check
- what to return if conditions met
- what to return if conditions NOT met
The third clause is optional, and if left blank, will return FALSE.

If you want it to return nothing instead, change your formula to this:
=IF(B2 <>"",VLOOKUP(B2,Sheet2!A:E,5,FALSE),"")

 

[coughoxford]

IF formulas have two three clauses:
- the condition(s) to check
- what to return if conditions met
- what to return if conditions NOT met
The third clause is optional, and if left blank, will return FALSE.

If you want it to return nothing instead, change your formula to this:
=IF(B2 <>"",VLOOKUP(B2,Sheet2!A:E,5,FALSE),"")

Thanks Joe ... all sorted

 

[Joe4]

You are welcome.
Glad I was able to help!