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Excel/Vlookup for Multiple Columns

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Question
Would you kindly assist me with formula that will look at the date in column 12, if there is no date, look at column 13, if there is no date, look at column 14 and if there is no date return "-" (if I do not put a place holder it returns a date of Jan 0, 1900).  This is what I currently have.

=IF(VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,12,FALSE),VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,13,FALSE),VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,14,FALSE),"-)

When tested, column 12 is blank but instead of looking at column 13 it is going to column 14 first.

Answer
The formula will have to be a bit more complicated, with nested ifs; something like:
=IF(VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,12,FALSE)<>"", VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,12,FALSE),IF(VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,13,FALSE)<>"",VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,13,FALSE),IF(VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,14,FALSE)<>"",VLOOKUP(Subject1,TABLEA,14,FALSE),"-")))
I have assumed that the condition to move along the columns is that the cell is not blank (<>""), but you can change it if needed.

Hope this helps,
Miguel
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Miguel Zapico

Expertise

I am recycling to Excel 2010, so I am taking an extended leave while I work on keeping myself an expert on this matter.

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I have worked with Excel for the past 12 years, in various environments.

Organizations
NYPC (New York PC users group)

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NYPC (New York PC users group)

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MCSE in Windows NT

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