How to compare two columns and enter 3rd value if matched

Hi

I hope the title is too ambigous.

I would like to compare two columns of different lengths and when they match enter the value from a third column.

In the example (attached) I want to compare each instance in colum a against the larger number of examples in column d and where the two match enter the value from column b in column e.

I have an annoying suspicion I have done this successfully in the past, but now I can't remember how.

NB. inreality a has 28 different values and d has these values repeated 18 times, so nested ifs aren't possible. Also a and b are on one sheet and d on another.

thanks

Welcome to the forum.

If you want help with spreadsheets, please post spreadsheets and not pictures.

Thanks.

Hi Archimedes,

this one in E2 and copy down

=IF(ISNA(MATCH(D2,$A$2:$A$11,0)),"",VLOOKUP(D2,$A$2:$B$11,2,FALSE))

or

=IF(ISNA(MATCH(D2,$A$2:$A$11,0)),"",INDEX($B$2:$B$11,MATCH(D2,$A$2:$A$11,0)))

I hope the title is too ambigous

. i think thats a tad wrong !
do you just want to match everything in col d against col a?

=VLOOKUP(D2,$A$2:$B$11,2,FALSE)

Thank you both, as both of soultions work. You've have saved me a great deal of effort.