Combining Cells to make a formula

[LadyStace]

I would like to combine cells to make a formula.


I have 2 columns of reference data A&B. I would like to combine cells to make a VLOOKUP formula for a separate set of data on a different spreadsheet where I would need to match the number from column A with, and record the number from column B into an adjacent cell.


Essentially I have my formula like this =VLOOKUP(1007,A2:B3298,2,FALSE)


I need for the numbers to stay in order so I combined cells:

C would have "="

D would have "VLOOKUP("

E would be the column copied from the separate spreadsheet with all of the numbers

F would have ",A2:B3298,2,FALSE)"

G I combined the columns using the "&" function/formula and copied the column

H I special pasted "Values" and got the correct formula


Even though I have the correct formula in the H column it will not execute unless I manually go to the Formula bar and hit Enter for each line. Is there a way to make the column execute as there are 3298 lines? Is there a way to combine the formula differently to get the result that I want?


Thanks,

LadyStace

 

[Faseeh]

Hi LadyStace,


Can i have a sample worksheet for this problem?


Thank

Faseeh

 

[Luke M]

LadyStace,


To do this, we need to define a special named range. Select cell H2, then go to Insert - Name, Named Range. Give it a name like "EvalThis". Define as:

=Evaluate(G2)

Ok out.


Now, in your worksheet, you should be able to put this formula in H2:

=EvalThis(G2)


The Evaluate function, unfortunately, can not be used natively in the worksheet.

 

[LadyStace]

Sorry, I don't know how to delete my post, but I was able to find the correct way to use VLOOKUP to get my desired result. http://www.timeatlas.com/5_Minute_Tips/General/Learning_VLOOKUP_in_Excel


Thank you Faseeh for attempting to assist me.

 

[Faseeh]

Hi LadyStace,


The above link leads me to a webpage and that contains a sample excel file and that file is using a simple vlookup() function. Did you mean that your problem has been resolved with visiting mentioned webpage??

 

[Luke M]

Faseeh,

Looking back at the original post, it's possible LadyStace found that she could just write:

=VLOOKUP(E2,$A$2:$B$3298,2,FALSE)

since all that is changing is the data in E2.

 

[SirJB7]

Hi, all!

Well, well, well, ... After reading that LadyStace desisted to use the multi-cell formula construction method, may I abandon my try to build an Excel interpreter? or should I begin with the compiler right now?



Regards!

 

[Faseeh]

Hi SirJB7,

What is an excel interpreter BTW?? I once read that interpreters are used to convert certain codes "Machine to something else" ..


Hi Luke M,

I think you are right..

 

[SirJB7]

@Faseeh

Hi!

It was a joke, a touch of humour.

An interpreter is a program that translates each time your instructions to convert them to executable instructions each time you run it, as opposed to a compiler that is a program that takes your code once and convert it to executable instructions and stores it in separated object (generally .exe). Second alternative it's much faster than first one.

Building a formula with several cells was something like interpreting and parsing the code to obtain an instruction (formula in this case).

Regards!