I have two columns of data that I want to compare. If the value of one cell in the first column is the same as the value of any other cell in the second column, then I want to return a piece of data that is attached that cell, i.e. in another cell adjacent to the second column.
I want this data in a cell next to the first column.
I was thinking of a LOOKUP function but I can't seem to get it to work.

Help greatly appreciated.

VLOOKUP

OK thanks but can you expand a little?

VLOOKUP(A1,B1:C??,2,0)

A1 the cell in your first column you want to find in column B.
B1:C?? the data set you want to look to with B being the first column that has data that might match that in cell A1
2 tells you which associated column in your dataset it'll bring back data from.
0 just because… don't worry about it.

Excel Help will be able to talk you through with examples better than I can.

Don't forget the $ prefix's on the parts of the formula you don't want to change as you copy it down.

TSY – greatly appreciated many thanks. Makes sense now.

Don't forget the $ prefix's on the parts of the formula you don't want to change as you copy it down

hit F4 (I learned that yesterday 🙂