VLOOKUP IN EXCEL

What Is VLOOKUP in Excel?

VLOOKUP in Excel is a powerful function that searches for a value in the first column of a
range (table or array) and returns a corresponding value in the same row from a specified
column. The "V" in VLOOKUP stands for "Vertical," indicating that it searches vertically

How Does VLOOKUP Work?

VLOOKUP works by searching down the first column of a table to find a match. Once it
locates that match, it retrieves data from the specified column of the same row. For instance,
if you’re looking for a product's price, VLOOKUP in Excel scans the list of products, finds
the one you’re looking for, and returns the price from the corresponding column.

Let’s break down how to use VLOOKUP in Excel further:

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

• lookup_value: This is the value you’re searching for in the first column. It could be
something like a product name or ID.

• table_array: This refers to the range of cells where Excel will search for the value and
where it will pull the data from. It usually covers multiple rows and columns.

• col_index_num: This tells Excel which column to grab the data from. The first
column of the table is column 1, the next one is column 2, and so on.

• range_lookup: This is where you specify if you want an exact match (FALSE) or a
close match (TRUE). For exact matches like product names or IDs, you’d use
FALSE.

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How to Use VLOOKUP in Excel?

Using VLOOKUP in Excel is relatively straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare your data: Ensure that your data is organized in a tabular format where the value
you want to look up is in the leftmost column of your table.

2. Determine what you want to look up: Identify the value you want to search for in the
leftmost column of your table.

3. Select the cell where you want the result to appear: Click on the cell where you want the
result of the VLOOKUP function to be displayed.

4. Enter the VLOOKUP function: Type "=" (equals sign) in the selected cell to start a
formula, then type "VLOOKUP(". This will prompt Excel to expect the arguments for the
VLOOKUP function.

5. Enter the arguments:

• lookup_value: Enter the value you want to search for.

• table_array: Select the range of cells that make up your table, including the column
that contains the lookup value and the columns from which you want to retrieve data.

• col_index_num: Enter the column number from which you want to retrieve data.
Count from the leftmost column in the table_array. For example, if you want to
retrieve data from the third column, enter "3".

• [range_lookup]: Enter either TRUE for an approximate match or FALSE for an exact
match. This argument is optional. If omitted, Excel assumes TRUE by default.

6. Close the parentheses: After entering the arguments, close the parentheses ")".

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7. Press Enter: Press Enter on your keyboard to execute the formula. Excel will perform the
VLOOKUP and display the result in the selected cell.

8. Drag or copy the formula: If you need to perform the same lookup for multiple cells, drag
the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell with the formula) or copy
and paste the formula into other cells.

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Tips for Using VLOOKUP in Excel

VLOOKUP is a powerful Excel function that allows you to look up values in a table and
return corresponding information. Here are some tips to help you master VLOOKUP:

1. Organize Your Data:

• Ensure your data is sorted in ascending order based on the lookup column.

• The lookup value should be in the first column of the table array.

2. Understand the Syntax:

• VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

o lookup_value: The value you want to search for.

o table_array: The range of cells 1 containing the lookup value and the return
value.

o col_index_num: The column number in the table_array from which to return

a value.

o range_lookup: Optional. TRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact

match (recommended).

3. Use Absolute References:

• Use absolute references (e.g., $A$2:$B$10) for the table array to prevent errors when
copying the formula.

4. Error Handling:

• Use the IFERROR function to handle cases where the lookup value is not found:

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Excel

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2,B2:C10,2,FALSE),"Not Found")

• This will return "Not Found" if the lookup value is not found.

5. Consider INDEX-MATCH:

• For more complex lookups, consider using the INDEX-MATCH combination. It

offers more flexibility and can handle multiple criteria.

6. Use Named Ranges:

• Assign names to your table ranges to make your formulas more readable and easier to
maintain.

7. Check for Exact Match:

• Ensure that the data type of the lookup value and the corresponding column in the
table array match.

• Use FALSE as the fourth argument for exact match.

8. Practice and Experiment:

• The more you practice, the better you'll become at using VLOOKUP.

• Experiment with different scenarios and data sets to gain a deeper understanding.

By following these tips, you can effectively use VLOOKUP to streamline your data analysis
tasks and save time

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(Data Analytics Intern)