Many csv files containing common names, need to combine across sheets to one line

really depends how your data is setup
in most cases if the data is setup like a table and table has unique identifies then yes vlookup or index/match is sufficient

I have combined all 3 files into 1 workbook, with 3 worksheets (1 for each workbook)

I have ioncluded the summary on sheet3, see if this will get you headed inthe right direction?

That stuff at the end is just part of my "signature", they are just a few guide-lines for users. You will see it at the bottom of all my posts - different members have different signatures...

1. Use code tags for VBA...[ code ].. Your Code ..[ / code ]...this is to show members how to add code tags when posting VBA/macros
2. If your question is resolved, mark it SOLVED using the thread tools...if you thread is resolved, this is how to mark it SOLVED (which you have done, thanks)
3. Click on the star if you think some-1 helped you...this is how you can thank members for their help (which you already did, thanks)

I am in dire need. I know you are probably not excited about seeing this. I can more or less understand what you created but have lost myself. I am attaching a copy of the file you sent renamed with real, private data. If you look on the page where you did the summary Cost VS you can see where I tried to get the data to compile. I think I got some things right but am missing some of the plot. I get the worksheet Human Ecology to show the results for the first 6 lines which is identical to what you did in the first example. Coincidence? Anyway. The rest of the page looks all N/A and REF errored. I am in a terrible bind. Thank you for any help.

I have removed your file because it contains confidential info. PLEASE do not post information of that nature in ANY public forum, you never know who out there might have bad intentions

I will take a look at your requirements and see what I can come up with for you

Looking at the 2nd file you supplied (the 1 I deleted here), the reason you are getting error messages is because there is no matching data for that column/row combination on any sheet

eg
Sheet1 (last sheet) row 4...
Davis Pertie does not appear on any of teh other 3 sheets
and Tyranny Spirit does not appear on any sheet that has DORF-WordsCorrect_3rd_Beginning as a heading

I took all of my ranges down as far as row 6...$6 extend that to 6000 (just add 3 zero's to every reference to $6

I took a look at your workbook sheet1 and simplified the formulae by breaking down the source of the data as indicated in the shaded areas.

Hope that this helps even though it's late.

I think that I have resolved the compatibility problems.

Here is a further revision to what I previously uploaded. This file uses the new Excel format XLSX which results in a much better file and is smaller in the bargain: