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Video 1: The VLOOKUP function If you want to match data that’s presented
horizontally, you can use the HLOOKUP function.
The VLOOKUP function lets you find information
in a dataset. A dataset is a collection of data that’s
organized into rows and columns. “VLOOKUP” is short
Video 4: Using VLOOKUP
for “vertical lookup.”
We’re going to look up the product name that
The function locates the desired piece of information
belongs to an item code.
by reading the data vertically in columns, from left
to right. Click into an empty cell where you’d like your result
to appear.
You can find the VLOOKUP function on the Formulas
tab, under Lookup and Reference. Begin the formula by either typing it into the
formula bar…
…or using the ribbon.
Video 2: The information required to
perform VLOOKUP If you use the ribbon, a dialogue box will pop up so
you can make sure you enter the values in the
Let’s say you have a table with item codes, product
correct order.
names, stock availability, and prices.
Type in the lookup value. In this case, the lookup
You want to look up the information connected to a
value is an Item Code.
specific item code. For VLOOKUP to work, you need
to give Excel 4 pieces of information. Next, highlight the area you want to search. Let’s
select the whole table.
1. The information you want to look for: for
example, the item code. This is called the Now, type in the number for the column that holds
lookup value. the information you’re searching for. In this example,
it’s the Product Name column. That’s the 2nd
2. The area where you want to look for this
column, so let’s type 2 in here.
information: it could be the whole table, or just a
specific range of cells. Finally, in Range lookup, we need to tell Excel whether
we want an exact match or the closest match.
3. The column number that holds the information
you want Excel to return.
In this table, you could request 2 for the product Video 5: How to find the closest match and an
name as it’s the 2nd column, 3 for the stock exact match
availability in the 3rd column, and so on. This value is
called the return value. To find the closest match, you can type TRUE or leave
the box blank. This is because Excel defaults to the
4. And the final bit of information is whether you closest match.
need an exact match for the information you’re
looking up, or the closest match. But if you want an exact match, type FALSE. Let’s go
for an exact match.
Excel’s default option is always for the closest match.
Now you should see your VLOOKUP result.
And this is what the full formula looks like.
Video 3: Preparing to use VLOOKUP
To use VLOOKUP, first make sure your data is
organized in the right way for the function to work. Video 6: Using VLOOKUP for other worksheets

The data must be presented vertically, in columns. We’re looking up the phone number that goes with a
person’s name, so the lookup value is the name
VLOOKUP searches left to right. That means the
lookup value needs to be positioned on the left, and You can use VLOOKUP to find data on a different
the data you’re searching through must be to the Excel worksheet or workbook.
right of the lookup value. Let’s say we want to pull contact numbers out of a
You should also bear in mind that VLOOKUP will stop large data set…
at its 1st match if there are any duplicates in your data. …and add them to a different worksheet.
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Click in the first empty cell where you want to pull You can find the HLOOKUP function under Lookup
the data. and Reference.
Go to Lookup and Reference and click VLOOKUP. As you can see, you need to fill in the same fields as
for VLOOKUP.
Set the lookup value..
Let’s look up a Music grade for one of these students.
The table array is on the other worksheet. Click into
the Table array box, then switch tabs. Select the The student’s name is the lookup value.
range of data you want to search.
The table array is the area you want to search.
You can now see the name of the worksheet you’re
Now, there’s the row index number rather than the
pulling from in the Table array box.
column index number.
Add the column index number. Phone numbers are
This is the number of the row where you need to pull
in the 3rd column, so type 3.
the data from.
And we want an exact match, so type FALSE into
Music is row 7, so enter that number.
Range lookup.
For an exact match, type FALSE in Range lookup.
Now you should see the phone number returned.
Now you can see the result of the HLOOKUP search.
You don’t have to do this for each name and number.
Just click and drag down the column in the table.

Video 7: Using VLOOKUP for other workbooks

The process for pulling data from other workbooks
with VLOOKUP is almost identical to pulling from a
different worksheet.
It’s only the Table array box that has a different entry.
Make sure you’ve got both workbooks open.
Click on the worksheet, then click on the tab
containing the data you need.
You’ll see the file name and the tab name in the
Table array box.
Select the range of data you want to search.
And that completes the table array part of the
VLOOKUP formula.
You should now be able to pull the data you need
from the other workbook.

Video 8: The HLOOKUP function

If you need to look up data that’s presented in rows
rather than columns, you can use the HLOOKUP
function instead of VLOOKUP.
“HLOOKUP” is short for “horizontal lookup.”
This function locates the information you need by
reading data horizontally and to the right in rows.
The lookup values for HLOOKUP must always be on
the 1st row.