searching characters problem

I'm almost done with my project, but I run into the following problem:
In column B of Sheet 1 I have an ID number that looks like "SJUD56YK78T". I need to search the first 3 characters of the ID in a data base that I have in Sheet 2 (column B). When I find it, I need to copy the corresponding make of the boat from Sheet2 Column A into Sheet 1 Column T.
Thanks for any idea.

It doesn't work. Maybe I should have given a sample of my database on sheet2 (actualy it is Sheet5 and is has a name, "Make"). In column A i have a name of a boat, in column B I have different sets of 3 characters. For the same make I can have 2 or 3 or 10 or more groups of 3 characters, all in column B, separated by space. Example:
Column A Column B
Action Craft SSU AQC
Advantage AZD RBV STY HUJ KMD

Try a small adjustment to Paul's sugested formula

=INDEX(Make!A:A,MATCH("*"&LEFT(B1,3)&"*",Make!B:B,0))

It worked like a charm. Thanks a zillion to both of you!

However, I need to use the formula in a macro, so I input the following code:
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "=INDEX(Make!A:A,MATCH(" * "&LEFT(RC[-" & VAR4 & "],3)" & " & " * ",Make!B:B, 0))""
where VAR4 is the difference between column# of Make (column U) & column # of ID (column O), so VAR4=7.
I get an error "type mismatch". What am I doing wrong?

I think the A:A and B:B references will need to change to R1C1 syntax and also a literal " in a formula needs to be "", i.e. where the formula has "*" this needs to be ""*"".

The easisest way to do this is to use the macro recorder. record a macro in which you put that formula in the required cell and then you'll get the right syntax

Another way of getting the correct formula is to:
1. Select cell with formula.
2. In the VBE Immediate window type '? activecell.FormulaR1C1' (without the quotes)

This should display something like =INDEX(Sheet2!C[1],MATCH("*"&LEFT(RC[-18],3)&"*",Sheet2!C[-5], 0))

I ended up with the following code:
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "=INDEX(Make!A:A,MATCH(""*""&LEFT(rc[-" & Var4 & "],3)&""*"",Make!B:B,0))"
where Var4 is calculated before.
When I run the macro, The formula is correct in the formula bar, but in the cell I get "#NAME?". However, if I place the cursor at the ed of the formula bar, without changing anything and I press "Enter", I get the correct value.
What is wrong?