Link cells so I can type a specified value in A1, and it will automatically fill in b2,etc

Hello,

I'm working on a project at my job and I'm trying to digitize this big whiteboard that's in our office... The board is used to keep track of a maintenance schedule for several different planes. Each vehicle has a serial number (for example LM072), a tail number (for example N81Y), and a department code (for example AB or FM). Each plane has a "Last Flight Date" (for example 9/12/12) as well as a "Last Service Date".

Here's what I want to do (if it's possible):

1. I want to design a spreadsheet where a specific plane's Serial Number can be entered in Column A. As a result, Column B would be filled in automatically with the proper tail number, and column C would be filled in automatically with the proper department code.

2. I want to be able to enter the "Last Flight Date" in column D and in column E I want to keep track of how many days it has been since the date listed in column D.

3. Same thing with columns F and G. F would have the Last Service Date and G would show Days Since Last Service


Thanks a ton for any help,
Caleb

Thanks to both of you! I'll definitely read up on all the info :D

Originally Posted by Melvinrobb

I attached a file that should help you out. You can use either the VLOOKUP, as suggested above, or the INDEX and MATCH function.
Read up on both, as that is exactly what you need.

WOW. Thank you so much for putting that together for me!