Transferring Cell Format with VLOOKUP formula

[CEIBoneLady]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Is it possible to transfer a cell's format with the VLOOKUP function? If so, how do I accomplish this?

I need to transfer italicized text, but when I use the formula it drops all of the settings from my master list. I think it's applying the destination cell's settings rather than keeping the original. The list is comprised of Genus species names (which are italicized) vs Class, Order, Family names (regular text.) Since it's alphabetical they're mixed up.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Is it possible to transfer a cell's format with the VLOOKUP function? If so,
how do I accomplish this?

I need to transfer italicized text, but when I use the formula it drops all of
the settings from my master list. I think it's applying the destination cell's
settings rather than keeping the original. The list is comprised of Genus
species names (which are italicized) vs Class, Order, Family names (regular
text.) Since it's alphabetical they're mixed up.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Yes, a formula (VLOOKUP included) can only return a value to a cell. That
cell has a format. If you want the format to change based on the cell's
contents, try using conditional formatting. You may need a helper cell to
identify Genus vs. the other names.

 

[CEIBoneLady]

I've tried conditional formatting, but it only allows for three conditions and I have a lot more than three genus species names that need italicizing. It looks like it's designed for numbers (makes sense, it's excel.) Anyways, I can only use the "equal to" qualifier. Unless there's a secret to using conditional format for text, I think I've exhausted that option.

What is a helper cell? That sounds promising..... can it be used in conjunction with the conditional format?

Thanks!

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

I've tried conditional formatting, but it only allows for three conditions and
I have a lot more than three genus species names that need italicizing. It
looks like it's designed for numbers (makes sense, it's excel.) Anyways, I can
only use the "equal to" qualifier. Unless there's a secret to using
conditional format for text, I think I've exhausted that option.

What is a helper cell? That sounds promising..... can it be used in
conjunction with the conditional format?

Thanks!

I don't know what the structure of your look up table is. However, if Genus
is in one column, and species in another, you can set a flag in a "helper
cell" that say has a value of 1 for genus, 2 for species, etc. Then do your
conditional formatting from this cell.