It sounds like VLOOKUP is what you are looking for. Say your database (Product names and values) reside on a seperate sheet with the product name in column A, and the value in column B. Highlight the entire data base and go to "INSERT-NAME-DEFINE. Type in a name (without any spaces). For an example, lets call it "Data". Then on your other sheet, lets say that the Products are listed down in column A. In column B, type the following formula:
=VLOOKUP(A1,DATA,2,0)
This will return the value of each item. Special note: The product names in column A must be typed exactly as they appear in your database.
If this is not what you are looking for, please let me know.