Excel Help

oldsak

I have a database report set up so a user can run it and download the output to a csv. The user needs to map values on the report to static values that aren't in the database. I was thinking he could do a vlookup to a sheet that is just the mapping values. The hitch is, he doesn't know how to write a vlookup and could not be trained to do so.

Is there some way I could set up a template that he could say, import this csv into or something that would have the vlookup predefined for him?

Dr. Frenchenstein

Not to be mean, but if you can't be trained to do a vlookup formula, you don't belong in the workforce (at least, not in that job).

If you generate the file first (basically do it for him), and save that, he could just copy the formula from the old sheet. it'd probably be easiest (for him) to have him copy the report over to a tab in his worksheet, and write a macro that would apply the vlookup formula to the proper cell referencing his data. If he can't be trusted to copy the formula down, you can do a loop statement in the macro that will do it for him.

Deebaser

Yeah, if he can't just give you the values to build into your report, this isn't really your problem IMO.

That said, maybe you can get him to manually copy the report into an xls file with the vlookup set up?

schuss

easiest way to deal with this is have "PASTE REPORT HERE" Tab, then have another that's the results which will just be the rows from that tab with a vlookup added.


I also agree that the guy isn't cut out for any level of reporting or data use if he can't vlookup.

oldsak

Yeah, he doesn't actually do reporting. The report is set up and prompts him for the dates. He then provides the results to a higher up based on the date range they're looking for.

The problem is now they want to add a field that doesn't really exist in the system. They do have a map table for values that do exist. I need to make this as simple as possible for him.

L Ron Howard

If you know VB, you could have one sheet where you paste the data, one sheet with a big "PUSH THIS BUTTAN" which runs a VB script which then executes and creates the data and puts it on a third sheet. I've done sheets like this, and there are tons of them out there on the internet.

Tef

L Ron Howard wrote: »

If you know VB, you could have one sheet where you paste the data, one sheet with a big "PUSH THIS BUTTAN" which runs a VB script which then executes and creates the data and puts it on a third sheet. I've done sheets like this, and there are tons of them out there on the internet.

This is pretty much I did at my work for a situation that sounds very similar to yours, OP.

I have a feel older people in my department who are completely useless when it comes to computer skills (They get bewildered by the copy and cut functions, for instance). A solution I found for anything that was a wee bit involved like writing a vlookup formula I would write out a 'cheat sheet' documenting each step with screenshots and I'd insist that they put in on the wall near their desks. it was a bit of short term pain making the documents, but it's saved me a shitload of time in the longterm. Maybe somethign like that would work for you?