If / Vlookup Formula Help …!!

[Monk]

Hi there..,
I’m experiencing a problem with a formula I am attempting to compile
(nothing new there)

Basically I require a formula to lookup some text within a specified cell
(we shall say ‘A1’) and return the given result that identically matches the
text throughout a large table (we shall say ‘B1:G2500’). The formula im using
…..

=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP($A$1,$B$1:$G$2500,3,FALSE))," ",VLOOKUP($A$1,$B$1:
$G$2500,3,FALSE))

…. is returning all the correct results by searching column B for the
specified text and in the above case is returning the result within the same
row on column D (3).
However the problem im finding is.., if column B doesn’t contain the
specified text it’s returning a duplicate result of the nearest cell that
does contain the text (this is bad) and if I lose the appropriate ‘$’ symbols
within my formula, it will happily return a completely blank row (also bad).

Is it possible to amend this formula (or provide a new one) which would
return the above results without duplicating or leaving a blank cell.
Basically it would just move on to the next cell which contains the specified
text (similar to applying a filter, which I wish not use if at all possible).

Any thoughts.. many thanks,
Monk

 

[Kevin B]

Have you tried changing your optional False statement to true so the VLOOKUP
only looks for an exact match?

 

[Niek Otten]

It's the other way around, Kevin, that's what puzzles me

 

[L. Howard Kittle]

Hi Monk,

I'm with Niek, looks good to me. I would look at a sample workbook if you
want to send me one.

Regards,
Howard