Comprehensive EXCEL VLOOKUP Tutorial and Google Sheets

Introduction

If you’ve ever struggled to find specific data in large Excel spreadsheets, the VLOOKUP function can be a lifesaver. This excel vlookup tutorial will take you step-by-step through the basics and advanced features of VLOOKUP in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. By the end, you’ll master how to use VLOOKUP in real-world scenarios.

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What is VLOOKUP in Excel?

VLOOKUP, short for “Vertical Lookup,” searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns data from a specified column in the same row.

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When to Use VLOOKUP

• To match employee IDs with names or departments.
• To pull pricing data from a product catalog.
• To compare datasets across multiple sheets.

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VLOOKUP Syntax

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

• lookup_value: The value you want to find.
• table_array: The range of cells containing the data.
• col_index_num: The column number in the range with the value you want to return.
• range_lookup: Optional. Use TRUE for approximate matches or FALSE for exact matches.

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Step-by-Step VLOOKUP Tutorial for Beginners

Example 1: Simple VLOOKUP in Excel

1. Open Excel and create a sample dataset

1. Use VLOOKUP to find the price of “Banana”
2. =VLOOKUP("Banana", A2:C4, 2, FALSE)
   • Output: 0.50

Example 2: VLOOKUP Across Sheets

Add Sheet name before table range

Common VLOOKUP Errors and Fixes

1. #N/A Error: Happens when the lookup value is not found.
   • Fix: Ensure the value exists and matches exactly.
2. #REF! Error: Column index is out of range.
   • Fix: Adjust the col_index_num to match the table range.

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Advanced VLOOKUP Tips

• Combine with IFERROR to handle errors gracefully:excelCopy code=IFERROR(VLOOKUP("Pear", A2:C4, 2, FALSE), "Not Found")
• Use wildcards (*, ?) for partial matches.
• Learn alternatives like XLOOKUP (Excel 365).
• By adding dollar signs around the table range, $A$2:$C$4, you’re making it absolute, meaning the range won’t shift if the formula is moved or copied elsewhere. This is a key step to ensure your VLOOKUP works correctly across your spreadsheet.
• If you ever feel stuck with complex formulas or need clarification, you can always ask tools like ChatGPT for guidance or to troubleshoot your Excel challenges!

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VLOOKUP in Google Sheets

Google Sheets uses the same syntax as Excel for VLOOKUP. Here’s a quick example:

VLOOKUP("Orange", A2:C4, 2, FALSE)

Output: 0.75

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Conclusion

VLOOKUP is a versatile tool that can save you hours of work. Whether you’re managing inventory or analyzing data, mastering VLOOKUP will elevate your Excel skills. Stay tuned for more advanced tutorials on functions like XLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH.