Robert ... The easiest way to do this is to just open the second workbook along with the workbook where you are entering the VLOOKUP formula .... Then, start typing the formula and when you get to the part of the formula where you need to enter the reference to the other workbook, just move to that workbook and select the range (in your case I see it's a named range, so just use the Name box dropdown to select that name) .... Excel will enter it correctly for you. Once you save the workbook with the formula in it, Excel will add the path to the other workbook so you can see it in the formula bar But, to answer your question, here's how the formula should look: =VLOOKUP(B2,'C:\AllUSA5\Data\{StateAbs.xls]Sheet1'!,StateAbbrevs,2,FALSE) I've included FALSE to get an exact match ... If you truly only want an approximate match, then leave FALSE out. Linda F. Johnson Linda's Computer Stop Author, MOS: Excel 2003 Study Guide, published by John Wiley and Sons http://personal-computer-tutor.com -----Original Message----- From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robert Carneal Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 2:35 AM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Re: Outside data ? Responding to my own inquiry: Should this formula work? =VLOOKUP(B2,[C:\AllUSA5\Data\StateAbs.xls]Sheet1!,$StateAbbrevs,2) I am using Excel 2000. Excel is complaining about the "C:" but I can't leave it out; or can I? I two hard drives- C and D. Sheet1 is where the data is located. "StateAbbrevs" is the name of the range of data. Thank you. Robert ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu at the top. This will allow you to unsubscribe your email address or change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso If you are using Outlook and you see a lot of unnecessary code in your email messages, read these instructions that explain why and how to fix it: http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc3/v28/greg28.htm *************************************************************