This article is part of our VLOOKUP Week. Read more.
Situation
Sometimes we don’t know what we want. If this happens when I am in a bar, I usually order a cocktail. Just a mix of everything. The same will work in Excel too.
For eg. If you have lots of data, but the value you want to look up needs to change based on whims and fancies of your users, then you can resort to a cocktail. A mix of VLOOKUP with Drop down lists (Data validation)
Data:

Solution
The recipe for VLOOKUP cocktail is relatively simple. We just take the list of sales person names and use it as a source for our input cell’s data validation drop down list. Rest is left to your imagination. Here is an example in action.
Examples:

Sample File
Download Example File – Mix VLOOKUP with Data Validation for Some Magic















7 Responses to “Build models & dashboards faster with Watch Window”
yes, I use watches in excel vb
Dear Chandoo,
This is a quite useful for myself. I highly appreciate your efforts for acquainting us with this value adding and time saving tip.
I'll admit it, I never saw this feature before. I was familiar with using Watch Window in VB, but not in workbook. I'll definitely use this in future when building dashboards!
it was always great reading your blog, one thing that i want to know, which tool you are using to create such gif image?
it was also a nice post,,,,,, sir
Hello Sir,
Really very nice post. I didn't use this features in past. But now going to use it..
Thanks a lot for every time come up with something new..
Thanks
Very Nice post sir.
Every Time posting something new.. Thanks a lot