topic Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working? in Discussions

Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

Mcc99 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 14:42:29 GMT

I have a list of names, many of which repeat in one data table. I would like to populate new columns with each subject's age, sex, and other demographic information. This information is stored in a separate data table. From previous forum responses, it seems like the Update Table function is recommended as the easiest way to mimic the VLOOKUP function in excel. Unfortunately, I can't seem to make the function work how I need it to. I set the two columns with patient names as the matching variable, and then select the columns with the demographic information I would like transferred. However, I get a notice that no data has been transferred and my sheet does not update. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong!

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

txnelson — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 14:46:50 GMT

It would be very helpful if you could attach samples of the 2 data tables

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

jthi — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 14:56:58 GMT

You might want to try using Join instead of Update as your original table might already have those columns (you are trying to add new columns, not update existing).

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

Mcc99 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:21:14 GMT

If I make blank columns for each of the demographic information, would that work better?

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

jthi — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:27:34 GMT

I would try to understand why update isn't working. Are there any matches between Sample and NAME? Is there any data to add? Do the columns already exist (at least sex does from your example image)? And you can try Join platform as it gives you the option to use different joins than inner join (left/right and outer join).

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

hogi — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 19:02:33 GMT

[Interesting: shifted down by several positions]

No need to add blank columns.

If you want to.
Please use the replace columns menu instead of 'add columns'.

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

hogi — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:26:48 GMT

Join has the disadvantage:
no option to update the main table.

Re: Using Update Table for VLOOKUP like function not working?

jthi — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 16:55:20 GMT

Both of them have their pros and cons as they have different use cases. Join is much more flexible if you don't mind that it will create a new table