VLOOKUP helps you find data in a table. Here’s a quick guide!

What is VLOOKUP?

VLOOKUP (Vertical Lookup) searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns data from another column in the same row.

VLOOKUP Formula

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

Quick Steps to Use VLOOKUP

1. Organize Data: Keep your data in columns. Make sure the value you’re searching for is in the first column.
2. Type the Formula:
   • lookup_value: The value you’re searching for.
   • table_array: The cell range for your data.
   • col_index_num: The column number with the data you need.
   • range_lookup: Use FALSE for an exact match.
3. Get Results: Press Enter to see the result.

Example

You have a product list:

Product ID	Name	Price
101	Widget A	$25
102	Widget B	$30

To find the price of “Widget B”:

=VLOOKUP("Widget B", $A$2:$C$3, 3, FALSE)

Common Errors

• #N/A: Value not found. Check the spelling.
• #REF!: Column number is too high.
• #VALUE!: Formula is incorrect.

Tips

• Use absolute references ($A$1) to keep the range fixed.
• Choose FALSE for exact matches.