Create a Macro from this simple search function

**McMasters** · 08-24-2009, 11:53 AM

HELP!!! I suck at this.
I am using excel 2007 for database of a large e-commerce site.
I am creating search-able attributes from keywords found in description, title and meta-data columns.

I am using the following function in "column X" to search 4 columns (see formula) for specific music styles.

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I have hundred of searches to do and this formula works but is extremely time consuming.

It would be cool if I could search for multiple criteria simultaneously and have the columns created if a "true value" is returned.
i.e Search columns A - C - D - F - H for all music style terms and output the "true - value" to separate columns. Which I will combine later.

Search for "Rock" (output to column X)
search for "jazz" (output "true" to column Y)
search for "Classical" (output "true" to column Z)
And So on

Creating the columns via the macro is not essential, if I must first create the empty columns and make sure the macro outputs correctly, so be it.

I don't know much about macros but from what I have read it seems like the way to go. I would then be able to use the maco's and create a template and use them for each csv file I receive from different publishing companies.

Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated,
McMasters

sheet 1 contains relevant database info and the functions I am currently using.
Sheet 2 contains a non ordered list of search criteria that I will be using in the macro.

**shg** · 08-24-2009, 11:55 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Please take a few minutes to read the forum rules, and then amend your thread title accordingly.

**McMasters** · 08-24-2009, 11:59 AM

Glad to be here,
I have been searching for excel related terms all weekend. This forum seems to be very active.

McMasters

**royUK** · 08-24-2009, 12:50 PM

I have removed unnecessary wording from your Title, please read the ules as shg suggested

**McMasters** · 08-24-2009, 04:11 PM

RULES
"Your post title should accurately and concisely describe your problem, not your anticipated solution. Use terms appropriate to a Google search. Poor thread titles, like Please Help, Urgent, Need Help, Formula Problem, Code Problem, and Need Advice will be addressed according"

Sorry

--- McMasters

**shg** · 08-24-2009, 04:20 PM

I would delete the 'spacer' columns, and then change the formula in (what is now) F2 to

=IF(COUNTIF($A2:$E2, "* " & F$1 & " *"), F$1, "")

... and copy across and down. Then it's simple to add additional search terms in the top row and just drag the formulas across.

I don't see that repeating the word in row 1 throughout the table adds much value. If you agree, you can change the formula to

=IF(COUNTIF($A2:$E2, "* " & F$1 & " *"), "x", "")

**McMasters** · 08-24-2009, 05:12 PM

Tried your suggestion and YOU ROCK!!!!!

That is an awesome use of absolutes "$" -- I did not know that A$1 would follow the with copy. That is extremely important to know.

I already have all the headers done so that simple change you made to use absolutes and using row 1 as the terms should do the trick.

I believe this thread may be in the wrong category since this is more a function then a macro.

Any how thanks a million.

Cheers,
---McMasters