What is the VLOOKUP Function?
VLOOKUP stands for Vertical Lookup. It searches for a value in the first column of a specified range and returns a corresponding value from another column within the same range. This function is particularly useful for tables with vertically organized data.
VLOOKUP Syntax
The VLOOKUP function follows this syntax:
- lookup_value: The value you want to search for. This could be a specific number, text, or reference to a cell containing the value.
- table_array: The range of cells where you want Excel to look for the value.
- col_index_num: The column number from which to retrieve the result. For example, if your table has three columns, and you want the value from the second column, enter “2” here.
- range_lookup: (Optional) A Boolean value (
TRUE
orFALSE
). UseTRUE
for an approximate match andFALSE
for an exact match.
How to Use VLOOKUP
Let’s go through an example to understand how VLOOKUP works.
Suppose you have a table with student IDs in Column A and corresponding grades in Column B. You want to find a student’s grade based on their ID.
Select the Cell: Choose the cell where you want the result to appear.
Enter the Formula: Type the VLOOKUP formula. For instance, if you want to find the grade for the student with ID “S102” in cell A5, use:
- "S102" is the lookup value.
- A2 : B10 is the range containing your data.
- 2 indicates you want the value from the second column (grades).
- FALSE ensures an exact match.
Press Enter: Excel will display the corresponding grade for student ID “S102” in the selected cell.
VLOOKUP with Approximate Matches
Sometimes, you may need an approximate match, especially when dealing with ranges (e.g., salary bands or grading scales). In these cases, set range_lookup to TRUE
or leave it blank.
For example:
Here, if 50 is not an exact match, Excel will return the closest, smaller value from column D.
Common VLOOKUP Errors and Solutions
#N/A Error: This occurs when VLOOKUP can’t find the lookup value. Double-check that:
- The lookup value is spelled correctly.
- The correct range is selected.
- You’re using an exact match (
FALSE
) if needed.
#REF! Error: If your col_index_num exceeds the number of columns in your table_array, Excel returns this error. Ensure the column index is within your selected range.
Approximate Match Issues: When using an approximate match (
TRUE
), make sure your data is sorted in ascending order. Otherwise, VLOOKUP might return incorrect results.
Tips for Using VLOOKUP
- Absolute References: Use absolute cell references (
$
) for the table_array, especially if you’re copying the formula to other cells. Example: - Combine with IFERROR: To avoid errors, wrap VLOOKUP in an
IFERROR
function:This will display “Not Found” instead of an error message if the value is not located.
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