anyone good with 'database functions' in excel?

“i've got the database list all set up. there are 11 columns total. the columns in question are vendor name, invoice amount, and date paid.
i'm trying to set it up so
A) I have a running total of outstanding invoices in the upper left corner and,
B) I want a box(also at the top) you can type a vendor name into and excel will return the total outstanding amount for that vendor.

Here's how it didn't work.
I used a DSUM function for the running total of all vendors, but I don't know how to tell excel to ignore the amount if there is anything in the "date paid" column. it's returning the amounts of all invoices, whether paid or not.
I'm having basically the same problem with the single vendor amount. i wrote the column heading "vendor" in one cell with the blank box under it. next to that i wrote the column heading "date paid" and put ""(null string) under it. It's giving me the totals for the vendor i put in but again it won't ignore the invoices that have been paid.

does this make any sense to anyone?”

“First: buy me a round trip ticket from were i am to were you are. Then I might be able to help you. Other than that I'm of no help. You might try mircosoft's website or other online help. Or you can just do what I do, roam around your company asking everyone if they know how to do it. ;)”

“you have mail ductape

hint: look at the column labels
last edited: 10/04/05 3:57:01 PM”

“thanks mountainpeak. i didn't think of hiding another column in there. everything's working out perfect now.”

“yw”