How can i reference a value from another sheet?

[HUNTXTRM]

Hello,
Let me see if I can explain what I am trying to do? I have a spreadsheet, that I have been using for years to estimate jobs. I started learning excel, by building this sheet. It is still a work in progress, as am I. I am always trying to figure out ways to make my life simpler by making the sheet more intelligent. I would like to be able to go from one sheet, to another and click on a part name, which would return a value associated with that part name, to an additive formula on the first sheet, to build and assembly. And, eventualy build a parts list from it as well. For ordering parts. Is there a way to do that? I can put my spreadsheet up here, if someone will tell me how to do that as well. Thanks

[aloha31]

Could you provide a screenshot of your worksheet(s)? I'd love to help a fellow Texan out. It sounds like you might want to use the VLOOKUP function here.

[HUNTXTRM]

I would be glad to. How do I get a screen shot? and on to here?

[aloha31]

Use the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard, then paste the image to Microsoft Paint or Powerpoint.

To post it on this forum, you'll see the 'Insert Image' icon in the toolbar which you can then select your image from your computer and paste it into the textbox on here.

[HUNTXTRM]

Assemblies.jpgMaterials.jpg Ideally, I would like to be able to go to the assemblies page, click on cell "D3", which would refer me to the Material costs tab, where I would click on part names in column "B" which would then take the value from column "F" associated to that part and add it into cell "D3" on the Assemblies tab. There are multiple parts in the assembly, so every click would need to add, that part to "D3". I can do the Vlookup, I think. But, getting them to add within that cell, is what is really blowing my mind. Or, if there is a different approach, that you could recommend, I'm game. Thanks

[aloha31]

If you want the part names to display in cell D3 of the assemblies tab, you're going to need some way to let Excel know what parts comprise of that assembly. Otherwise, you will just have to do it manually

[HUNTXTRM]

Check this out, got my brain to spinnin, and came up with this. Might be easier.Take off.jpg
Made a sheet with drop down lists (column C) referenced to my material cost tab. Vlookup function in Column E, with multiplier referencing Column D. Formulas work, but I have some issues.
Is there a faster way to scroll through a drop down list, because I will have thousands of parts in there. Can you start typing and it auto fill from that drop down?

If a row has no data in a certain cell, how do you make that row auto hide? So, I could start with 0 in my qnty column, and if I had no parts, I could delete the zero and hide that row? Or something similar. Also, in my final sum, how do I get it to ignore cells that do not have actual numbers in them?

I think this might work, I just need a way to make it shorter, when not many components are required and longer if it necessitates.

thanks for the help, Im inspired, but I need direction!

[HUNTXTRM]

Could you provide a screenshot of your worksheet(s)? I'd love to help a fellow Texan out. It sounds like you might want to use the VLOOKUP function here.

Why California? LOL

Any input on my sheet?