Question

This question stems off another post I had. (see Search through column in excel for specific strings where the string is random in each cell)

Using the above image as reference, I am trying to search through column B (actually over 1000 lines) using column E as the “lookup values.” The end goal would be for “just” the names to be displayed in column C. The trick is all the randomly generated characters the encompass the names. Below is what I would want the datasheet to look like. A formula or module should work, but the vlookup and other lookup function I can’t get to work.

Answer 1

Another possibility, which may be easier to understand then assylias post initially, but also may be a bit more time consumptive (although with 1,000 rows, I don’t think it will matter much) is below.

This requires that you name the range in column E as myNames (or whatever name you wish, just update the code – alternatively, you cuold just write Range(“E1:E6”)). Also, if you move the random values from column B, update that in the code as well.

Sub findString()

Dim celString As Range, rngString As Range, celSearch As Range, rngSearch As Range
Dim wks As Worksheet

Set wks = Sheets("Sheet1") 'change sheet reference to whatever your sheet name is

Set rngString = wks.Range("myNames")
Set rngSearch = Intersect(wks.UsedRange, wks.Range("B1").EntireColumn)

For Each celString In rngString
    For Each celSearch In rngSearch
        If InStr(1, celSearch.Text, celString.Value) > 0 Then
            celSearch.Offset(, 1) = celString.Value
        End If
    Next
Next

End Sub

Since, I worked on your original question as well, I would suggest getting the counts through Siddharth’s answer and then running this, or assylias’s code above to get the names next to the columns. You could put a button the sheet, or just use the Macro dialog box to run the macro.