3 Lookup Formula Challenges + 2 Jokes + 1 Link [VLOOKUP Week]

“Start with a joke.” My boss used to say when I am nervous about an upcoming presentation. Although, I am not nervous to post this article, I think a joke will always help.

So here it goes:

[originally posted on 5th May 2008]

Now to more serious matters.

VLOOKUP (and other lookup formulas) are very powerful and quite practical. They can fetch you the information you are looking for from a heap of data.

Now that we have seen the power of VLOOKUP thru several posts this week, I want to test your understanding of these formulas by presenting 3 challenges.

Download the excel workbook with these challenges

Click here to download excel workbook with all the data for these challenges.

Challenge # 1: Price After Discount

We come across this problem quite often. You have a list of discount codes and applicable quantity thresholds. For eg. you may sell an item at $50, but if I buy more than 1 item, you will give a 10% discount. The discount goes up as I purchase more quantity.

Now, given a list of item quantities, how do you calculate the amount payable using lookup formulas? That is our first challenge.

Challenge # 2: Price after accumulated quantity discount

This is essentially same as above formula, but the discounts apply on accumulated quantities bought so far. For eg. I will get first item for 0% discount, 2nd and 3rd items for 10% discount, 4th item for 15% discount … 26th item for 50% discount etc.

Now, given a list of customer names and quantities they bought (in the same order), how do you calculate the amount payable for each transaction?

Challenge # 3: Closest price based on the quantity purchased

This is an interesting challenge. The price after discount is determined based on the quantity bought. For eg. the discount thresholds are 1, 3, 5, 10, 25 etc. Now, given a quantity of items bought, we determine the price by finding the closest threshold to it. So, a quantity of 7 will get the price from threshold 5 as against 10.

Few guidelines on solving these challenges:

Although the above problem might appear simple, the solution is not so straightforward.

• Use a variety of formulas: Do not just rely VLOOKUP. Instead experiment with formulas like SUMIF, COUNTIF, INDEX, MATCH etc. to get results
• Use helper columns: Break down the problem in to several steps and use helper columns to get the results
• Use pen & paper: Write down the logic first, then simulate it in excel using formulas. It clears your mind fast.
• Many solutions exist: Each problem can be solved in several different ways. So once you find a solution, feel free to explore other options
• Share your solutions: Use comments box to share your solutions with us. I am always looking for new ways to solve problems. So teach me…

Solution to the Challenges:

Here is a workbook with one set of solutions  for the problems. As I said, many other solutions do exist. So use this workbook as an indication of what is possible.

Click here to download excel workbook with all the data for these challenges.

One Link to More VLOOKUP Awesomeness:

Debra at Contextures has chipped in with some interesting videos on VLOOKUP formulas. Check them out here.

The 2nd Joke:

It is quite difficult to set an expectation and then meet it. More so with jokes. But do you know that Chandoo.org’s 404 pages show Excel error messages? For example go to http://chandoo.org/wp/missing_file/. Refresh the page to see a different message. 🙂

It is Diwali (the festival of lights) in India this weekend. So I am going to spend time with family, light some fireworks and relax. I wish you a happy Diwali if you celebrate one. Even otherwise, I wish a lot of light and warmth in to your life this year.