Excel - Overview Of Vlookup

Vlookups are notoriously difficult but incredibly useful for many applications (possible uses detailed below). I normally spend around 45 minutes teaching this difficult topic, hopefully this quick blog will aim to introduce the topic briefly!

With many built-in functions, Excel is more than just a spreadsheet. One of the most useful of these database functions is VLOOKUP, which looks up a value stored in a lookup table. You can use VLOOKUP to locate the price of an item, a tax value, postal code or other frequently used (or difficult-to-remember) information.

The lookup value resides in the left-most column of the lookup table. The lookup table can have many columns, but the value that triggers the lookup must always be stored in the first column in the table.

The basic formula for the VLOOKUP function is:
 

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array, col_index_num, range_lookup)
 

The cell containing the value to be looked up is the lookup_value. VLOOKUP compares the value of this cell to the contents of the lookup table.

The table_array is the range of rows and columns covered by the lookup table.
 

col_index_num is the column number where the values being looked up can be found
 

range_lookup is an optional argument. When left blank, VLOOKUP scans the first column in the table for the value that most closely matches the lookup request. If you need to have an exact match, assign a value of FALSE to the range_lookup.

Use the following example to make a simple lookup table. This example will look up the price of five different products. The first column will hold the name of the item. The second column will hold its price.

1. First, open Excel.
 

2. Enter the following data in an array using any cell as a starting point. Your array will have five rows and two columns. Do not include the commas in the data you enter.

(Column 1, Column 2)
Magazine, £1
Book, £2
Calendar, £3
CD, £4
DVD, £5
3. Once the lookup table is created, select another cell somewhere on the worksheet and type one of the values from Column 1 of your lookup table.

4. Click on the cell immediately to the right of the value you just entered.
 

5.From the Insert menu, select "Function" and select VLOOKUP. You can find it under Lookup and Reference.

6. Enter the values in the formula wizard by clicking on the cell you want. The lookup_value will be the cell you entered data into in Step 3.

7. The table_array is the group of cells where your lookup table can be found. To enter this array into the wizard, click on the first element in Column 1 and drag to the last element in column 2.

8. The col_index_num is the number of the column in which the looked up value is found. In this example, the column is the second (price) column. Enter a 2 in this field.

9. The range_lookup value can be TRUE or FALSE. If TRUE, the lookup table must be sorted in ascending order based on the values in Column 1. In this state, the function will accept only exact matches. If FALSE, the lookup table does not need to be sorted and will return the value in the lookup table that most closely matches what you've entered.

10. Once the function is complete, click OK
 

The function should now return a value from the lookup table. To verify the lookup is working, look up the price of a different item on the list by entering a different list value in the cell you created in Step 3.

Lookup tables have many applications but they work best in situations where values must be referred to frequently, or where centrally stored data are used by a number of people.

Notes for editors: Claire Blinman is the training manager at Computer Training Solutions in Bristol. For more information visit our website at http://www.computertrainingsolutions.co.uk
or call 0800 019 6882

9 Ways to Excel At Forums

A forum is an online society and dialogue place for Internet users. Forums play an important role in Internet marketing and promoting one self and the products and services. Forums are a place to share thoughts, get answers, build acquaintances, and build up partnerships. Here are nine ways to excel at the forums.

The first way to excel in forums is to join a forum that interests you the most. A forum that does not get along with your interest will do no good.

The second way to excel in forums is to join more than one forum related to your products and services to get maximum advantage

The third way is to post comments that make sense. Just writing anything will not help. If you write irrelevant people will start avoiding your comments.

The fourth way is to use impressive but simple language in your post. This will attract greater number of people to read your posts.

Fifthly, write elaborate posts. Avoid the post such as “me too”

The sixth way to excel in forums is to be regular in your post. Posting your comments once in a while will not make you popular.

The seventh way to excel in forums is to use your signature file judiciously. If you have more than one web site, put the link of the web site in your signature that is most relevantly associated with the forum.

The eighth way is to be honest in your post. Do not use forums just to appreciate your products.

The ninth way to excel in forums is to use forums to create a thread to get feed back about your products and services.

Want to learn more about it? Download the free ebook, Steps to Article Marketing Success.

10 Ways To Excel At College

1. Be Open To New Experiences

Entering college, you are a stranger in a strange new world. You probably don't know anyone, and you might be far from home and lonely. Who could blame you for clinging to the familiar? Understand, though, that just about every new student is going through the same emotions that you are, so you should not be afraid of getting out there and meeting them. And if you are one of the kids who applied with a group of friends, it's great that you've found a way around the initial anxiety of school's first days, but your comfort is a double-edged sword. Don't be so comfortable with the high school crowd that you don't try some of the new experiences college has to offer.

2. College Is For Students -- Be a Great One

With all of the dorm high jinks and parties erupting everywhere, you might not feel that you've joined a community of scholars, but you have. Make sure you attend all of your class meetings and sections, and take notes. Not only will your professors and TA's love you for this, but you will be in a great position when you have to prepare for tests, papers, and exams.

3. Don't Procrastinate

There's so much to do, and so much fun to have. Don't let it overwhelm you. Make a study schedule for yourself and stick to it as best you can. There might be days when no studying gets done, but most days, you should spend a few hours staying on top of your assignments.

4. Join a Campus Organization

If you love to write, join the newspaper or magazine. If you're an actor, try out for a play. When you get out into the "real world," people will be interested in your GPA, but much like college admissions staffs, employers and graduate programs also like to see that people engaged in their college experience in some way on a passionate, personal level.

5. Visit the Career Services Office

Speaking of the real world, it's never too early to drop in at career services. A visit to your school's career center can help you focus your course of study to prepare you for an exciting career. You might also find out about internships.

6. Befriend A Reference Librarian

With the advent of Google, many students think that libraries are obsolete. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you have your first assignment that requires research, drop by the reference desk. Your librarian will show you a world of options for sourcing your papers and projects that will impress your professors.

7. Consider a Term Abroad

Many schools offer the opportunity to study in a foreign country.

8. Move around

We all know about the freshman fifteen. If you're diligently studying, they can creep up on you before you even realize it. Even if you don't engage in a hardcore workout program, move around. Go for a walk with a friend for a study break instead of staying in and ordering that pizza.

9. Eat Right

While pizza is okay sometimes, make sure a real vegetable passes your lips now and then. By taking care of yourself, you'll feel and think better.

10. Sleep

No doubt, you'll be very busy. To make sure you can keep up the hectic pace college demands, schedule some time to sleep. If you get exhausted, you won't think as clearly, and you won't have the energy you need to be excellent.

Review more industry related articles by Elizabeth Saas at CareersandEducation.com. Elizabeth Saas is a feature writer and often covers topics related to Campus Degree Programs and Career Advice.

Excel At Typing or School

My name is Todd Hicks. I am the founder of Skill Development Institute.

The purpose of Skill Development Institute is to teach people how to type or study. I have written a typing lesson titled “Hicks’ Spectacular Typing Lesson” and I have written a study lesson titled “Hicks’ Guide To Better Grades”.

I have picked up expertise in typing and studying through years of trial and error. I used this experience to write my lessons.

Both lessons are very instructional and interactive. “Hicks’ Spectacular Typing lesson” is better than typing games and exercises. Unlike typing games and exercises that just let you practice typing while leaving you on your own to actually learn how to type better, “Hicks’ Spectacular Typing Lesson” provides you with special drills that teach you the techniques you must use to become a great typist.

“Hicks’ Guide To Better Grades” is better than a lot of study books. Unlike study books that just talk a lot and lack substance, “Hicks’ Guide To Better Grades” is packed with strong examples that demonstrate how to apply the techniques you must use to get excellent grades at school. A free sample is provided for both lessons.

I graduated from The University of Missouri at St. Louis with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications in May of 2000. I was a substitute teacher from the fall of 2000 through the spring of 2006. I am currently registered with several employment agencies. The best temporary job assignment that I have done was an assignment I did for Spherion for a week and a half in December of 2005. The assignment involved doing data entry work at Iron Mountain in St. Louis, MO. I typed medical records into a database for a local hospital.

My good typing skills helped me land the assignment. I would be thrilled if I could help myself and others find a good job that requires good typing skills. Please visit my website to make a great investment in your future.

Todd Hicks
Skill Development Institute
http://www.ktaassde.com

My name is Todd Hicks. I am the founder of Skill Development Institute. I have written a typing lesson titled “Hicks’ Spectacular Typing Lesson” and I have written a study lesson titled “Hicks’ Guide To Better Grades”.

5 Steps to Excel At Autoresponders

Auto responders help you in your business by sending emails on your behalf at pre set time. Targeted autoresponders will do marketing and advertising for you, even when you do not work. There are some steps to do more with your autoresponders. Below you can see the steps to do better

Step 1 Personalize autoresponder – Personalization helps in creating interest in the customer. If you can show that a particular message or course is exclusively for a particular customer, then the chances are more that you will get him as a customer. Target autoresponder which is personalized for a customer with his name will help to boost the ego of the customer and will make him more interested in your products and services.

Step 2 Offer free email course – Offer a free email course separated over few weeks. These free courses will help you establish yourself as an authentic source as well as act as an advertisement for you. Targeted autoresponder will keep in touch with the help of these courses and will remind the customers about your service.

Step 3 Publish a newsletter – Use an autoresponder to publish a newsletter for you. In the newsletter you can advertise about your products and services. It will tell your customers about you and your credibility in the business.

Step 4 Use your ezine articles- Write a few ezine articles, put a subscriber link on your web page. Send the link to the publishers. Set a time for the delivery of these articles to the publishers and the subscriber of the link. Target autoresponder will do the work for you at the time set by you.

Step 5 Follow up your customer- You should follow up the customers with more targeted autoresponders. Follow him up about his idea about your products and services. Tracking ability is important to make a better autoresponder.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to generating massive traffic ‘Triple Your Traffic Fast'

Download it free here: Triple Your Traffic Fast

Download a free article marketing guide here: Secrets of Article Writing

Do you want to learn how to build a massive list fast? Click here: Email List Building

Raymond Nesa is an experienced web marketer specializing in article marketing, traffic generation, and list building.