Vlookup with if error keep same cell value

Question

Hi:

I'm trying to create a formula that looks for values in another workbook but if it doesn't find it I want to keep the original value in the call as is instead of overwriting it to #N/A - typical result of vlookup.

Any ideas? I've tired IFERROR together with vlookup but not getting the answer I want.

Example:

Base worksheet where I need to update the "Training" column "B"

Employee	Training
Monica	1
James	0
Phil	0
Elizabeth	1

New spreadsheet where if the name appears in this one I want to update the "Training" column above with "1" otherwise I want to keep the value as is in that column already.

File to look up from:

Employee
James
Stan
Richard

so in this case the result should look like after the right formula:

Employee	Training
Monica	1
James	1
Phil	0
Elizabeth	1

Any advise please?

thank you.

Answer 1

If a cell has a formula then it cannot have its "original" value

Maybe you need a Training column for each new worksheet that has this data, then you could have a final Colum with the latest data.

Or you will need a VBA solution

best wishes

Answer 2

Bernard - thank you for your reply. Was trying to avoid the intermediate step, however looks like no way around it.

Appreciate it.