VLOOKUP (Vertical Lookup) is one of the most powerful and commonly used functions in Excel. It allows you to search for a specific value in one column and return a corresponding value from another column.-Whether you’re managing data, creating reports, or analyzing financial information, mastering VLOOKUP can save you hours of manual work. VLOOKUP Formula in excel with example
Why Learn VLOOKUP?
- Time-Saving: Automate repetitive tasks like searching for data.
- Versatile: Use it for financial reports, inventory management, customer data, and more.
- Foundational Skill: VLOOKUP is a stepping stone to mastering advanced Excel functions like INDEX MATCH and XLOOKUP. Common Use Cases for VLOOKUP
- ✅ Finding a product price using a product code
- ✅ Retrieving a customer name from an order number
- ✅ Automating financial reports and dashboards
- ✅ Merging data from multiple sheets 🎁 Download Free Excel File
🔍 How Does VLOOKUP Work?
1. VLOOKUP Syntax =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup]) Parameters Explained:
TRUE (1) → Approximate match (Used for sorted data).
lookup_value: The value you want to find (e.g., product ID).
table_array: The range of cells where the lookup occurs.
col_index_num: The column number from which to return the value.
range_lookup (optional):
FALSE (0) → Exact match (Recommended 🚀). TRUE (1) → Approximate match (Used for sorted data).
🛠 VLOOKUP Examples
Example 1: Finding a Product Price by ID In this VLOOKUP formula Excel example, we’ll look up the price of a product based on its ID
VLOOKUP Formula Excel Example – Master It with Practical Tips and Fix Errors Instantly
| Product ID | Name | Price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Apple | 1.50 |
| 102 | Banana | 2.00 |
| 103 | Orange | 2.50 |
Formula to find the price of product ID 102:
=VLOOKUP(102, A2:C4, 3, FALSE)
✅ Result: 2.00 (Banana price).
Download for free an Excel file containing a simple and clear example with detailed explanations on how to use the VLOOKUP function
Common VLOOKUP Errors and How to Fix Them
- #N/A Error: This error occurs when VLOOKUP cannot find the lookup value in the table. To fix it:
- Ensure the lookup_value exists in the first column of the table_array.
- Check for typos or incorrect data types.
- #REF! Error: This happens when the col_index_num is out of range. Make sure the column index is within the bounds of your table array.
- #VALUE! Error: This usually occurs when there is an incorrect argument in the formula. Double-check the syntax.
- To avoid errors, make sure your VLOOKUP formula Excel example is set up correctly
Advanced Tips:
- Using VLOOKUP with Wildcards: Use the wildcard character
*(for any number of characters) or?(for a single character) to search for partial matches in text data.- Example:
=VLOOKUP("John*", A2:B10, 2, FALSE)would return the result for any name starting with « John ».
- Example:
- Nested VLOOKUP for Multiple Criteria: You can use multiple VLOOKUP functions to search for multiple criteria.
- Example:
=VLOOKUP(A2 & B2, A2:D10, 4, FALSE)combines two values (e.g., product ID and customer ID) to get a result. - Learn more about advanced Excel functions at Microsoft’s official Excel support page.
- Example: