Can you extract text from a cell to use within a formula of another cell?

DFW Admin

I'm trying to dynamically update the lookup_table value in my VLOOKUP formula based on a selection made in another cell.

Thank you,

Matt

Andrée Starå

Hi @DFW Admin

I hope you're well and safe!

Not sure I follow. Can you elaborate?

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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DFW Admin

In one column, I have a drop down listing current projects. In another column, I have a VLOOKUP that references another sheet that contains budget items. Right now, that VLOOKUP command references that sheet statically.

=IFERROR(ROUND(VLOOKUP([Cost Code]@row, {2020-049 Bus287 Budget Range}, 7, true) / VLOOKUP([Cost Code]@row, {2020-049 Bus287 Budget Range}, 5, true), 2), "MISSING INFO")

My question, is it possible to reference another cell to dynamically change the VLOOKUP reference? Depending on the project selection, "2020-049 Bus287" would reflect the project selection and of course take the text from project and concatenate "Budget Range".

Another way would be to test the project column to return a specific VLOOKUP command, but this would require altering the formula to reflect new projects.

Genevieve P.

Hi @DFW Admin

If I'm understanding you correctly, you'd like the actual {reference} to change based on a value in a cell. So, if a column notes "Sheet 1" then the Vlookup ranges would look into sheet 1. Or if it says "Sheet 2", it will change the {reference} to be sheet 2.

In this instance, no, there isn't a way to automatically change where {this reference} is pointing. You would either need to manually delete/replace references as needed, or write a nested IF statement to return the different VLOOKUPs you'd prefer.

If we've misunderstood, it would be helpful to see screen captures and to learn more about your {2020-049 Bus287 Budget Range} range, but please block out sensitive data!

Cheers,

Genevieve

DFW Admin

Thank you. You have the right idea. I was trying to eliminate the need to revise nested if statements. As we add new projects, the primary user could continue using the sheet with only modifying the project list rather than formulas.

Thanks again.