how to use VLOOKUP formula

 

The VLOOKUP (Vertical Lookup) formula in Excel is a powerful tool for searching and retrieving data from a table. It's often used when you have a large dataset and you need to find specific information quickly. Here's how to use the VLOOKUP formula:

Syntax:

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

• lookup_value: This is the value you want to search for in the first column of the table_array.
• table_array: This is the range or table where you want to search for the lookup_value. It should include the column with the lookup_value and the column with the data you want to retrieve.
• col_index_num: This is the column number (relative to the table_array) from which you want to retrieve data. For example, if the data you want is in the second column of the table_array, col_index_num would be 2.
• [range_lookup]: This is an optional argument. If set to TRUE or omitted, VLOOKUP will find an approximate match. If set to FALSE, VLOOKUP will find an exact match.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use VLOOKUP:

1. Ensure your data is organized: Make sure your data is in a table format with the lookup column on the left and the data you want to retrieve on the right.

2. Enter the VLOOKUP formula:

   • Click on the cell where you want to display the result of the VLOOKUP.
   • Type =VLOOKUP( to start the formula.
   • Enter the lookup_value (the value you want to search for) or reference to a cell containing the value.

3. Specify the table_array:

   • Type a comma (,) to move to the next argument.
   • Select the range or table_array where you want to search for the lookup_value.

4. Specify the col_index_num:

   • Type a comma (,) to move to the next argument.
   • Enter the column number from which you want to retrieve data.

5. Specify the range_lookup (optional):

   • Type a comma (,) to move to the next argument.
   • Enter TRUE for an approximate match or FALSE for an exact match. If you omit this argument, it defaults to TRUE.

6. Close the formula:

   • Type a closing parenthesis ).
   • Press Enter.

Here's an example:

Assume you have a table in cells A1 to B5:

Employee ID	Employee Name
101	John
102	Sarah
103	Mike
104	Lisa

If you want to find the name of the employee with Employee ID 103, you can use the following formula:

=VLOOKUP(103, A1:B5, 2, FALSE)

This formula will return "Mike" because it searches for the exact match of Employee ID 103 in column A and retrieves the corresponding value from column B.

Remember to adjust the formula based on your specific data and requirements

File for Exercise

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwACl2slggT50s1nz7Sep23kwma9ZddX?rtpof=true&usp=drive_fs