How to Use the VLOOKUP Function?

Introduction and Usage of the VLOOKUP Function

What is the VLOOKUP Function?

The VLOOKUP function is a widely used function in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, primarily designed to find related values and return a result value. The “V” in VLOOKUP stands for “vertical column.” For lengthy lists, the VLOOKUP function can quickly find the corresponding value in the list based on the provided keyword.

How to Use the VLOOKUP Function?

Using the VLOOKUP function requires three main parameters: lookup value, table array, and column index number. These parameters determine the value to look up, the area in which to search, and the position of the column to return.

For example, suppose we have a table where column A contains product names and column B contains prices, and we need to find the price of a specific product. We can use the following formula:

=VLOOKUP("Product Name", A1:B10, 2, FALSE)

In this formula, the first parameter is the value to look up, “Product Name,” the second parameter is the table array to search within, the third parameter is the position of the column to return, “2” indicating the second column, i.e., the price, and the last parameter “FALSE” indicates an exact match. If set to “TRUE,” it would represent an approximate match.

How to Use the VLOOKUP Function for Two Conditions?

When we need to use the VLOOKUP function based on multiple conditions, we can achieve this using an array formula. Here are the steps:

1. First, place the conditions to filter and the value to return in a separate table.
2. Use the VLOOKUP function to filter based on one condition, returning an array of rows that meet the condition.
3. Add the other condition to the filter using the IF and AND functions, and use the MATCH function to find the corresponding column in the original table.
4. Finally, use the INDEX function to return the required value based on the filter results.

For example, if we have a product order table containing order number, product name, quantity, and order date, and we need to filter the order quantity based on the product name and order date, the steps are as follows:

1. Create a separate table containing the product name (A1), order date (B1), and the order quantity to return (C1).
2. Use the following formula to filter by order name, returning an array of rows that meet the condition:

{=IF(B2:B10=B1, IF(A2:A10=A1, ROW(A2:A10)), "")}

3. Use the following formula to add the order date to the filter:

{=IF(B2:B10=B1, IF(A2:A10=A1, ROW(A2:A10) * IF(C2:C10"", 1, 0)), "")}

4. Finally, use the following formula to return the required order quantity based on the filter results:

{=INDEX(C2:C10, MATCH(1, (D2:D100) * (A2:A10=A1) * (B2:B10=B1), 0))}

Summary

The VLOOKUP function is widely used in Excel, providing a convenient way to look up, filter, and return data in tables. By learning and mastering the VLOOKUP function and related array formulas, users can more efficiently process and analyze data, thereby enhancing work efficiency.