Formulas to make references independent-multiple sheets

[abshaw]

I am gonna try to make the question simpler (so only one reference is required) the actual sheet has 54 reference columns.


Sheet 1

Column A: Agent ID
Column B: Agent Name
Column C: Agent Region
Column D: Member ID
Column E: Member First Name....

Sheet 2

Column A: Member ID


Up till now i simply use (in Sheet 2, Column A, Row 2) =Sheet 1!D2

and that works.

Sheet 1 data is external and is updated / complete replaced daily. Every 15 / 20 days the arrangement of columns gets out of wack and instead of getting the A, B, C, D, E i get the data as A, E, B, C, D or some other combination. This then becomes a formula update exercise.

Goal:

I want to put in a formula that can address the position change of the columns and doesn't have to rely on the exact position of the column but the column name (as that does not change).

Progress so far:

I used Sheet 3 as my reference holder

so E10 (in sheet 3) has the word "Member ID" typed in as text. I then use this as my reference to find the column and return / update the formula as:

=CHAR(64+MATCH(Sheet 3!E10,Sheet1!1:1,0))

This return me the value "D"

now i need to convert this D into

=Sheet1!D2



Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[FDibbins]

I think you need to look at using INDEX/MATCH/MATCH for this, the 2nd MATCH will look for the column heading

 

[abshaw]

Thanks Ford,

how would the formula look like with the scenario presented (3 sheets) and referencing going on. could you please explain a little.

thanks