To use VLOOKUP in Excel, the function searches for a value in the first column of a specified table (range) and returns a value in the same row from another column you specify. The formula syntax is: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
- lookup_value: The value to search for in the first column of the table.
- table_array: The range of cells that contains the data (including the lookup column).
- col_index_num: The column number in the table from which to return the value (1 is the first column).
- range_lookup (optional): TRUE for approximate match or FALSE for exact match (use FALSE for exact matches).
How to Use VLOOKUP Step-by-Step
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Organize your data so the value to look for is in the first (leftmost) column.
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Select the cell where you want the result.
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Enter the formula with the correct parameters. For example:
=VLOOKUP("Apple", A1:C10, 2, FALSE)
This looks for "Apple" in column A and returns the corresponding value from column B. -
Press Enter to get the result.
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Copy or drag the formula to apply it to other cells as needed.
Important Tips
- The lookup value must be in the first column of your selected range.
- Use FALSE for exact matches to avoid errors.
- If no match is found, VLOOKUP returns #N/A.
- If your data requires looking up values that are not in the first column, you might need to rearrange your data.
This method will help efficiently retrieve related data from large tables based on a common value.
