[excel] Comparing two columns, and returning a specific adjacent cell in Excel

I am using a combination of if, vlookup, match, iserror functions, and unfortunately I've not been able to find the right formula.

Comparing two columns for matches is easy enough. the tough part has been returning a specific cell once a match is found.

So what I'm dealing with is something kind of like this:

Header     Column A   Column B   Column C  Column D
Row 1      111        AAA        112
Row 2      222        BBB        111
Row 3      333        CCC        221
Row 4      444        DDD        333

I'm trying to match column values in Column A, with Column C. So if there's match, I want the corresponding value in Column B to populate in Column D. Not a great explanation, but allow me to visually show you what I'm looking for

Header     Column A   Column B   Column C  Column D
Row 2      111        AAA        112
Row 3      222        BBB        111       AAA
Row 4      333        CCC        221
Row 5      444        DDD        333       CCC

Since Cells A1 matches cell C3, I want D to return B2

Same with Row 5. Since A4 and C5 match, I want the value for B5

Let me know if this makes sense or if you need further clarification.

Here is what needs to go in D1: =VLOOKUP(C1, $A$1:$B$4, 2, FALSE)

You should then be able to copy this down to the rest of column D.

I would advise you to swap B and C columns for the reason that I will explain. Then in D2 type: =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:C4, 2, FALSE)

Finally, copy the formula for the remaining cells.

Explanation: VLOOKUP will first find the value of A2 in the range B2 to C4 (second argument). NOTE: VLOOKUP always searches the first column in this range. This is the reason why you have to swap the two columns before doing anything.

Once the exact match is found, it will return the value in the adjacent cell (third argument).

This means that, if you put 1 as the third argument, the function will return the value in the first column of the range (which will be the same value you were looking for). If you put 2, it will return the value from the second column in the range (the value in the adjacent cell-RIGHT SIDE of the found value).

FALSE indicates that you are finding the exact match. If you put TRUE, you will be searching for the approximate match.

In cell D2 and copied down:

=IF(COUNTIF($A$2:$A$5,C2)=0,"",VLOOKUP(C2,$A$2:$B$5,2,FALSE))