Expert Solution - Excel COLUMN Problems

Question description:
This user has given permission to use the problem statement for this blog.

Hi, I need to find information in one workbook and have it automatically populate in another. Example - Workbook A has employee social security numbers in column D. I need to have it populate in another workbook matching the correct employee last name

Solved by V. A. in 13 mins

This is the chat thread from the real Excelchat help session. It contains no private user information.

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:24

Welcome to Got it Pro

User 25/05/2018 - 01:25

Hi, I have two spreadsheets I need to merge specific info

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:25

Can you paste your data or share your excel so that i can help better

User 25/05/2018 - 01:25

Unfortunately no, It is protected

User 25/05/2018 - 01:26

I can give you an example

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:26

Can you paste some sample data on spreadsheet on right

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:26

So that i can help you out

User 25/05/2018 - 01:26

User 25/05/2018 - 01:27

I have one worksheet that has ee data as shown.

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:27

Also paste the other data as well

User 25/05/2018 - 01:29

I have another workbook (completely different file) that has employees listed by social security number. I need to create a formula in the workbook shown to extract the social security number in Workbook B and have it match the last name.

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:29

can you paste that data in sheet 2?

User 25/05/2018 - 01:31

It's pretty simplistic data. I just don't know how to get one workbook to read from another workbook.

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:31

=VLOOKUP(B2,Sheet2!$C:$D,2,0)

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:31

This is the formula we should use

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:31

See cell C2 on sheet 1

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:31

Did you see?

User 25/05/2018 - 01:31

So just to make sure I understand the concept

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:32

User 25/05/2018 - 01:32

You used Column B2 on sheet one to match column C2 and if it matches add in D2

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:32

Let me know if the formula i used helps

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:33

Yes

User 25/05/2018 - 01:33

What does the D,2,0 mean?

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:33

D is the column which we want to populate

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:33

2 is the 2nd column out of C:D

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:34

and 0 means exact match, wherever exactly the last name matches it returns the value in column D

User 25/05/2018 - 01:35

You are spectacular - you saved me hours of work and not getting grief from my high tech young boss!!

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:35

Thanks

User 25/05/2018 - 01:35

I'm an old lady who still works old school. Thank you so much for your help!!!

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:35

Please do give good rating and reviews

Excelchat Expert 25/05/2018 - 01:35

It really helps