how to use data validation with a delimited list (or use multiple columns)

**dmcgov** · 09-29-2016, 01:33 PM

I have data validation in one of my cells, right now it's a delimited list (meaning 4 digits followed by a comma and then a description, ex "1010, Whittelsey Wood Products").

but i need to tweak it some. Need to extract just the first four digits so that i can use that in a vlookup function in another cell.

is that possible?

**PCI** · 09-29-2016, 02:30 PM

Prepare another cell, doing the preparation of the 4 digits of the first cell which has the selection

**FDibbins** · 09-29-2016, 02:34 PM

what are you looking up with that - numbers or text?

if numbers...
=vlookup(--left(your-cell,4),your-range...etc
if text, leave out the --
=vlookup(left(your-cell,4),your-range...etc

**FDibbins** · 09-29-2016, 02:35 PM

what are you looking up with that - numbers or text?

if numbers...
=vlookup(--left(your-cell,4),your-range...etc
if text, leave out the --
=vlookup(left(your-cell,4),your-range...etc

**dmcgov** · 09-29-2016, 02:53 PM

thanks fdibbins,

this is what i tried (looking for the 4 digit number)
=VLOOKUP(--LEFT(B10,4),Formulas!P:P,1,FALSE)

but it didn't work, i get a #N/A in the cell

as a work around, i put =left(B10,4) in the cell so that get's me where i wanted to go. but still would like to know how to get your solution to work.

**FDibbins** · 09-29-2016, 02:57 PM

what is in your search data?

Can you upload a small (clean) sample workbook (not a pic) of what you are working with, and what your expected outcome would look like.

**dmcgov** · 09-30-2016, 07:19 AM

here is the spreadsheet with the data in the formula's tab. the column that you want is "L".

note that i had to delete some tabs to be able to upload to this forum