vlookup

[cfrancis]

I am relatively new to using excel and I have a problem. I have a list of data in several columns and rows, say a1:e:10. I have a drop down menu to choose a piece of information out of the data. Vlookup will spit out the data that I request, but there are cases were the item I choose from the drop down list is in my data more than one time. It seems like vlookup just gives the first one that it gets to. I need something that will retrieve more than one item if there are multiple entries of that item. thanks.

 

[sam_d1]

If you are omiting the last (optional) parameter(of VLOOKUP), the first column must be in ascending order. Try after sorting the range, OR with "FALSE" as the last parameter.

Following text is from excel's help.
<< If range_lookup is TRUE, the values in the first column of table_array must be placed in ascending order: ..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ..., A-Z, FALSE, TRUE; otherwise VLOOKUP may not give the correct value. If range_lookup is FALSE, table_array does not need to be sorted.>>

 

[cfrancis]

I have False as the last parameter, and have sorted the data, so that the item I choose is in the first column. I probably confused you with my description of my problem. Here is an example:
a b c d
1 brakes 1994 ford ranger
2 brakes 2000 dodge durango
3 yoke 1977 chevy pickup

Say in the drop down menu, I choose brakes. vookup will give the information in a1:d1, but I cant figure out how to get it to give me the information in row 2 also. Any suggestions will be appriciated.

 

[lbass]

Can you use the data filter?

Highlight the column with brakes in it.
then select Data Filter AutoFilter. That will give you a list select brakes and that will return the two with brakes. Select all to return the full list?

Not sure how you want you sheet to work but this is one way that you may be able to use.

Another newby.
L

 

[Brian from Maui]

Francis,

Please read the following threads, paying close attention to Sensei's Aladin's methods.

http://www.mrexcel.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=22735&forum=2

http://www.mrexcel.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=16933&forum=2