VLOOKUP
Lookup FormulasLearn how to use VLOOKUP in Excel to search for values in a table. Includes syntax, examples, common errors, and tips for exact and approximate matching.
Syntax
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])Parameters
lookup_valueThe value to search for in the first column of the table
table_arrayThe range of cells containing the data
col_index_numThe column number from which to return a value
range_lookupTRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match (optional)
Examples
=VLOOKUP(A2, B:D, 2, FALSE)Find exact match of A2 in column B and return value from column C
=VLOOKUP("Product A", Products!A:C, 3, FALSE)Look up 'Product A' in another sheet and return the price
Common Errors
#N/A - Value not found
#REF! - Column index exceeds table width
#VALUE! - Invalid arguments
Pro Tips
Always use FALSE for exact matches
VLOOKUP only searches the leftmost column
Consider XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH for more flexibility
Related Functions
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