Excel formula to check a text value from a cell against table's first column and return a value from the table second column

Question

excel formula: Formula in column B (cell B1, B2, ...) must check if a word from C1:C4 is used in A1 and return a corresponding value from D1:D4.

In result, the column B should look like below. This is an example of input data and results in the column B.

A	B	C	D
Go 2 steps	M	Jump	J
Turn left	T	Go	M
Jump fence	J	Turn	T
Run forward	M	Run	M
Turn around	T
Go 5 steps	M

I have done that some time ago using INDEX, MATCH AND VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP but can't find it any-more. I remember that it took me long time to make it work. If a cell in column A is empty, corresponding cell in column B stays clear.

Answer 1

You can use the LOOKUP() function to accomplish the desired output in column B

• Formula used in cell B1

=LOOKUP(2,1/(SEARCH($C$1:$C$4,A1)),$D$1:$D$4)

And Fill Down for the rest of the cells.