How to Use VLookup in Microsoft Excel

VLookup in Microsoft Excel

Excel’s VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool for retrieving data from large datasets. It allows you to search for a specific value in one table and return a corresponding value from another table. In this article, we’ll go over how to create a VLOOKUP in Excel step by step.

Step 1: Prepare your data

The first step in creating a VLOOKUP is to prepare your data. You will need two tables: one that contains the data you want to search (the lookup table), and another that will receive the returned value (the results table). Make sure your data is organized into columns and that the columns have appropriate headings

prepare your data

Step 2: Select the cell where you want to display the returned value

Go to the results table and select the cell where you want the returned value to appear. This will be the first argument in the VLOOKUP formula.

Select the cell where you want to display the returned value

Step 3: Start the formula

Begin the formula by typing “=VLOOKUP(” into the formula bar. This will open the VLOOKUP function and allow you to start entering your arguments.

Start the formula

Step 4: Enter the lookup value

The first argument in the VLOOKUP formula is the lookup value. This is the value you want to search for in the lookup table. Enter the lookup value in quotes and close the quotes with a comma.

Enter the lookup value

Step 5: Enter the lookup range

The second argument in the VLOOKUP formula is the lookup range. This is the range of cells in the lookup table that contain the data you want to search. Enter the range in the following format: “lookup_table_name[[start_cell]:[end_cell]]”. For example, if your lookup table is named “LookupTable” and starts in cell A1 and ends in cell D6, you would enter “LookupTable[[A1]:[D6]]”.

Step 6: Enter the column index number

The third argument in the VLOOKUP formula is the column index number. This is the number of the column in the lookup table that contains the data you want to return. For example, if the data you want to return is in the third column of the lookup table, you would enter “3”.

Enter the column index number

Step 7: Enter the range lookup value

The fourth and optional argument in the VLOOKUP formula is the range lookup value. This is either “TRUE” or “FALSE” and determines whether the VLOOKUP should find an exact match or an approximate match. If you want an exact match, enter “FALSE”. If you want an approximate match, enter “TRUE”. If you omit this argument, Excel will default to “TRUE”.

Enter the range lookup value

Step 8: Close the formula

Close the formula by typing “)” and press “Enter”. Your VLOOKUP formula should now be complete.

Close the formula

Step 9: Test your VLookup formula in Microsoft Excel

Test your formula by changing the lookup value in the results table to verify that the correct data is returned from the lookup table.

Test your formula

In conclusion, creating a VLOOKUP in Excel is a relatively straightforward process that can greatly increase your efficiency when working with large datasets. With these step by step instructions, you’ll be able to create a VLOOKUP formula in no time. You can find Microsoft office for sale on various online platforms. Many of these platforms also offer Microsoft software downloads, allowing you to easily install the software on your device and start using it right away. Microsoft Office 11 Pro has everything you need to get the job done efficiently and effectively.

I could have bought Office 2021 from another company cheaper but didn't so glad I paid more had issues with download and the support from Joe and Jenna was awesome. You get what u pay for so spend the extra money and go... with Indigo. I've used multiple times and they have never let me down.read more
Herbert CumbaaHerbert Cumbaa
15:55 26 Jul 22
Outstanding! Fair Price for Product! (Office Professional Plus 2016) Received Install Codes Immediately after Purchase! Processed Perfectly with Microsoft! Wanted Legit Software for Our Church! Will Use Again!... A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+A+read more
Allan DrakeAllan Drake
20:51 16 Jul 22
Asked for two activations for office 2019 professional I bought two times. Microsoft says since I updated to win 11 the code provided is not a good code on either computer. Indigo sent me both replacement codes. I... also sent in a form on your website with my phone number.read more
Bob SBob S
14:13 20 Jun 22
I purchased MS Office 2019 for my new computer in 2021. The Install went well and all was good. A little over a year later Outlook stopped being able to sign into the Comcast email. Talking to Comcast tech after several... different trials we found by deleting the Comcast account and reinstalling it fixed the problem. About a month later the problem happen again. The delete and recreate the account trick did not work. Comcast indicated it was a MS Outlook problem since my iPhone that uses the same interface and the webmail portal all worked with the account. I then contacted Indigo about the issue. I got an email the next day asking for the order #. A few days later a email with YouTube video links on how to setup the Office software. I replied with a second more in depth description of what had been tried to resolve the issue. I have not heard from them in a week now. I can't imagine someone dealing with this lack of responce if their business depended upon it. Fortunetly for me, it is just for home use. The problem may not be MS Outlook, but you have to be able to get the support / knowledgebase to work thru to the solution.Edit: As soon as I checked my email, Indego had responded with a proceedure to reinstall Office and make sure no other office products were installed. It worked and Office is resyncing with the email account now.read more
Sidney RuetzSidney Ruetz
21:03 19 May 22
Best software purchasing experience bar none. Excellent prices and installation was painless and flawless. I needed both Windows 10 and Microsoft office. I saved a lot of money. You can't go wrong here!!!
Dito DalawaDito Dalawa
15:15 24 Dec 21
Indigo Software
4.9
431 reviews
powered by Google
js_loader