vlookup for combined text and number value on linked worksheet

[jackmare]

hello.

I am trying to return the value (date) of a construction schedule by searching for a specific construction activity ID number. Is there a method I can use which incorporates a text search so that as the schedule grows (cell locations shift down) the lookup function still follows the unique activity ID?

Below is a sample of row of the ID I must search for, and the date I must return (on a separate excel file):


[TABLE="width: 500"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"]A[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]B[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]C[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]D[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Activity ID[/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Description[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Start Date[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]End Date[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]L3S4C10020[/TD]
[TD]Supporting Walls to UPTS Slab 3[/TD]
[TD]19-Jan-14[/TD]
[TD]25-Jan-14[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

Thanks!!!

 

[BigC]

Hi jackmare

By definition, the LOOKUP functions will search the lookup range for the lookup value and find the first occurrence thereof irrespective of where in the lookup range it is located.

Can you expand upon what you mean by

Is there a method I can use which incorporates a text search so that as the schedule grows (cell locations shift down) the lookup function still follows the unique activity ID?

, what particular lookup function you are using, and how your spreadsheet is laid out.