VLOOKUP(lkup_val, table_arr, column_index_num, range_lkup)
where,
- lkup_val is the value to be matched from an array or first column of the table,
- table_arr refers to two or more columns of data values,
- column_index_num is the column number in the table from which the matching should be returned, and
- range_lkup is an optional logical value that specifies to find an exact match or approximate match of the mentioned lookup value.
VLOOKUP() looks up for a value in the first column of a table array and gives a value in the same row from another column in the table array.
Description
VLOOKUP(lkup_val, table_arr, column_index_num, range_lkup)
- The 'V' in VLOOKUP stands for vertical. This function looks the value column wise.
- Arguments containing text values entered as a part of command, should be enclosed in quotes (e.g. "JOHN").
- VLOOKUP function is not case-sensitive.
- If lkup_val is less than 'smallest value in first column of table', Calci displays #NULL error message.
- If column_index_num is 1, Calci returns the value in first column in table array. If column_index_num is 2, Calci returns the value in second column in table array and so on.
- For column_index_num < 1 or column_index_num > 'number of columns in array', Calci returns #NULL error message.
- The values in first column should be arranged in ascending order for correct results.
- Argument range_lkup can be TRUE or FALSE.
- If range_lkup is TRUE or Omitted, Calci returns exact or approximate match of the value.
- Approximate value is the largest value that is <= lkup_val.
- If range_lkup is FALSE, Calci searches only for the exact match. If exact match is not found, Calci returns #NULL error message.
- For invalid arguments, Calci displays #NULL error message.
Examples
Following table shows the use of VLOOKUP function in Vector Form -
| Number | Square | Cube |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 3 | 9 | 27 |
| 4 | 16 | 64 |
| 5 | 25 | 125 |
| 6 | 36 | 216 |
=VLOOKUP(3,A2:C7,2) : Looks up for '3' in Number Column and returns value from Square column in the same row.
Returns 9 as a result. =VLOOKUP(5,A2:C7,3,FALSE) : Looks up for exact match for '5' in Number Column and returns value from Cube column in the same row.
Returns 125 as a result. =VLOOKUP(5.5,A2:C7,2,TRUE) : Looks up for the approximate match for '5.5' in Number Column, matches the nearest value '5' and returns value from Square column in same row.
Returns 25 as a result.