How does VLOOKUP works in Excel?

In its simplest form, the VLOOKUP function says: =VLOOKUP(What you want to look up, where you want to look for it, the column number in the range containing the value to return, return an Approximate or Exact match – indicated as 1/TRUE, or 0/FALSE).

Why you should never use VLOOKUP?

It can not lookup and return a value which is to the left of the lookup value. It works only with data which is arranged vertically. VLOOKUP would give a wrong result if you add/delete a new column in your data (as the column number value now refers to the wrong column).

How do you set up a VLOOKUP in Excel?

Does VLOOKUP only work with numbers?

Can VLOOKUP work with text as well as numbers? Yes. VLOOKUP can search for textual values just as well as it can search for numbers. The example above would search for the product names, which are text rather than numbers.

Is VLOOKUP easy to learn?

While Vlookup is only one function in the world of spreadsheet management, its perhaps the most valuable and impactful one you can learn. By the way, you can also use its sister function, Hlookup, to search for values in Horizontal rows instead of Vertical columns. Take 5 minutes and learn Vlookup.

What formula is better than VLOOKUP?

The superior alternative to VLOOKUP is INDEX MATCH. While VLOOKUP works fine in most cases, it tends to reveal flaws when you start using it in large and complex sheets. The INDEX MATCH formula is actually two different functions; INDEX and MATCH. array is range of cells or an array constant.

What happens when VLOOKUP doesn’t find value?

If your lookup value is not in the first column of the array, you will see the #N/A error. … In this case, Excel is looking for it in column A, not column B. Solution: You can try to fix this by adjusting your VLOOKUP to reference the correct column. If that’s not possible, then try moving your columns.

What format does VLOOKUP need to be in?

The format of the VLOOKUP function is: VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,range_lookup). The lookup_value is the user input. This is the value that the function uses to search on.

Why can’t I copy my VLOOKUP formula?

If you are planning to copy your VLOOKUP to multiple cells, you will need to lock your table. … The wrong cell ranges are being referenced for the lookup_value and table array.

Can VLOOKUP be wrong?

By default, VLOOKUP will do an approximate match. This is a dangerous default because VLOOKUP may quietly return an incorrect result when it doesn’t find your lookup value. … As a result, when VLOOKUP finds a value that’s greater than the lookup value, it will fall back, and match a previous value.

Is VLOOKUP better than INDEX match?

VLOOKUP is better because it is easier to understand for beginner to intermediate Excel users. INDEX-MATCH is better because it will continue to work if you insert or delete columns in the lookup table and allows the lookup column to be anywhere in the table.

Does VLOOKUP work with general format?

Numbers are formatted as text

Another source N/A errors in VLOOKUP formulas is numbers being formatted as text, either in the main or lookup table. … The numbers can also be stored in the General format.

Why is my VLOOKUP not working until I click in cell?

It sounds like you may have changed the cell format but that format is not applied until you edit the cell. When you select the cell and do this: You are editing the cell at which time the new format will be applied.

Why VLOOKUP returning NA but value is there?

#N/A is an abbreviation for “not available”, which means that the search cannot return a value or did not find a match. This result can be returned even though there are matches in the column if the VLOOKUP’s syntax is not formed correctly.

How do you write a VLOOKUP formula?

  1. In the Formula Bar, type =VLOOKUP().
  2. In the parentheses, enter your lookup value, followed by a comma. …
  3. Enter your table array or lookup table, the range of data you want to search, and a comma: (H2,B3:F25,
  4. Enter column index number. …
  5. Enter the range lookup value, either TRUE or FALSE.

How do I fix a VLOOKUP column?

How do I do a VLOOKUP with two criteria?

VLOOKUP with Multiple Criteria – Using a Helper Column
  1. Insert a Helper Column between column B and C.
  2. Use the following formula in the helper column:=A2&”|”&B2. …
  3. Use the following formula in G3 =VLOOKUP($F3&”|”&G$2,$C$2:$D$19,2,0)
  4. Copy for all the cells.