'vlookup' function in excel doesn't work

[ShawnD1]

I have a table called "Receiving_List" that is filled with receiving numbers and chemical names. I'm trying to lookup the chemical name based on the receiving number.

Here is the formula I've entered:
=VLOOKUP(C2,Receiving_List,2,FALSE)

C2 is the box with the receiving number I've entered, Receiving_List is the name of the table I'm trying to get data from (it's on a different worksheet in the same file if that matters), and 2 means it's the second column from that table.

Here is the result that it shows:
=VLOOKUP(C2,Receiving_List,2,FALSE)

It doesn't show the value from that function, it just shows the function. I've checked if formula auditing was turned on, but it was off as it should be. When I click the formula editor (the fx button) it gives a preview saying that the result in that box should be "Methanol", which is correct.

What is wrong? Why won't it just show me the damn answer?

 

[petesamprs]

Two initial thoughts:
- Try hitting Ctrl + ~ (next to the "1") to make sure you are not viewing formulas only
- Next try making sure the cell is not formatted as "text", which wouldn't recognize the formula as one. Hit Ctrl + 1 to check, and if it is, change it to General, then hit F2 on the cell and enter to recalc.

It's most likely the second problem.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: petesamprs

- Next try making sure the cell is not formatted as "text", which wouldn't recognize the formula as one. Hit Ctrl + 1 to check, and if it is, change it to General, then hit F2 on the cell and enter to recalc.

This is probably it. Thanks!

 

[WildHorse]

Long time gone since I've used vlookup or hlookup, but don't you still need to give a name to the worksheet area holding the values ? Then use that name in your formulae.

 

[xsilver]

never mind - found the solution myself to a problem I had