VLOOKUP stands for vertical lookup and we can use to scan a column and get matching data. In this article, learn how to use VLOOKUP with 10 practical examples. You also get a free sample workbook to practice VLOOKUP.
Table of Contents
What is VLOOKUP?
VLOOKUP stands for Vertical Lookup. We can use it scan your data to find a matching value.
You can use the below syntax to write VLOOKUP.
'SYNTAX
=VLOOKUP(search_value, in_this_data, return_column_number, approximate_match_ok?)
- Search_value: this is the first parameter or option for VLOOKUP. You can specify the lookup value here. It can be a typed-in value or reference to a cell value.
- In_this_data: This is where your data is. It can be on the same worksheet or in another tab. It can be a range of values (like B5:E17) or a table (like tblSales).
- return_column_number: This number tells VLOOKUP which column to extract after the result is found. Refer to below examples to better understand this.
- approximate_match_ok? This TRUE / FALSE setting tells VLOOKUP if you want an approximate or exact match for your search. In 99% of situations, I use FALSE for this, as we need EXACT matches in business situations.
VLOOKUP Explanation
Here is a simple VLOOKUP to get the sales value of Josh from my sales data in the range $B$5:$E$17. The formula returns the result of $1680.
Refer to below image to understand the concept of VLOOKUP.
'SYNTAX
=VLOOKUP(search_value, in_this_data, return_column_number, approximate_match_ok?)
'EXAMPLE
=VLOOKUP("Josh", $B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
'RESULT
1680
EXPLANATION
Vertically looks up “Josh” in column B of the range B5:E17 and returns the exact matching value from column D (3rd column from B). Refer to the above picture and syntax to understand the concept.
VLOOKUP - 5 Essential Examples
Now that you understand the concept of VLOOKUP, let’s look at 5 essential examples of this lookup function in day-to-day business settings.
Note: All these examples use the same sales dataset as above. You can grab a copy of this file from here.
Example 1 - Basic Usage of VLOOKUP
The most basic usage of VLOOKUP is to lookup a value in a table and get corresponding matching value from another column.
In this example, we want to lookup sales of “Josh” from the sales data in the range B5:E17.
'EXAMPLE 1
=VLOOKUP("Josh", $B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
'RESULT
1680
Example 2 - Using Input Cell for Search Value
One simple way to make your VLOOKUP formulas powerful is by using input cell to maintain the search value. This way, everytime you need to search for a different thing, you just update the search value.
'EXAMPLE 2
'Put a person's name in cell G8, such as Jagjit
'Formula:
=VLOOKUP(G8,$B$5:$E$17,4,FALSE)
'RESULT
709
Example 3 - Searching by pattern (name begins with)
Many times, we don’t know what the full value is. We just know the first few letters. For example, looking at the sales data in range B5:E17, you want to find the sales of the person whose name begins with the value in cell G5.
For example, G5 contains Jav
In this case, we are looking for the person Javed.
'EXAMPLE 3
'Type Jav in G5
'Formula:
=VLOOKUP(G5&"*",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
'RESULT
$2277
How this “Name begins with” VLOOKUP works?
- The formula is =VLOOKUP(G5&”*”,$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
- First let’s look at the search_value option. This is G5&”*”
- As G5 is “Jav”, this becomes Jav*
- * is a special character for VLOOKUP. It means, anything after Jav.
- So VLOOKUP looks for any name that begins with Jav and finds Javed.
- The rest is easy to understand.
POP QUIZ…
- How would you find Net Sales for the person whose name ends with sh
- Write a formula for that and share your answers in the comment section.
Example 4 - Get the entire record
Let’s say you want the entire record, not just Net Sales column (3). In this case, you can use an array as the 3rd parameter for VLOOKUP. See this powerful example.
'EXAMPLE 4
'Get entire record for Johnson
'Formula:
=VLOOKUP("Johnson",$B$5:$E$17,{1,2,3,4},FALSE)
'RESULT
The entire row of values for Johnson
Johnson 10 $1,540 $570
Note about using this formula:
- If you have Excel 365 or using Excel on the web, the above formula works as is.
- If you are using any older version of Excel (such as Excel 2016 / 2013 / 2010), then you should do the below steps:
- Select a range of 4 cells for your result.
- Type the formula in the very first cell.
- Then instead of pressing ENTER, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER
Example 5 - When VLOOKUP can't find the value...
Life would be just awesome if we can always find what we want. Sadly, that is not the case. So what happens when VLOOKUP can’t find the value you want to look for?
It will return an error. #N/A error.
See below example. Read on to learn how to fix the problem.
'EXAMPLE 5
'Looking for an non-existent value
'Formula:
=VLOOKUP("Chandoo", B5:E17,2,FALSE)
'RESULT
#N/A
How to fix the #N/A error in VLOOKUP?
We can use the IFERROR function of Excel to handle errors with our VLOOKUP FORMULAS.
For example, you can use this formula to show a message like “Person not found” for the Example 5 above.
'EXAMPLE 5 with error handling
'Looking for an non-existent value
'Formula:
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP("Chandoo", B5:E17,2,FALSE), "Person not found")
'RESULT
Person not found
How to use VLOOKUP when you have data in a table?
VLOOKUP works great with data in tables or regular ranges. I prefer using VLOOKUP with table data as tables are easier to manage business data.
Related: Learn how to create and use Excel Tables.
Here are 3 examples of using VLOOKUP with CTRL+T Tables in Excel.
'VLOOKUP TABLE EXAMPLES
'Data is in table named tblSales
'Formula:
=VLOOKUP("Josh",tblSales,3,FALSE)
'Result:
$1680
'Formula
=VLOOKUP(G37,tblSales,3,FALSE)
'Result
$1799
'Formula
=VLOOKUP(G41&"*",tblSales,3,FALSE)
'Result:
$2277
Learn more about tables in Excel:
- Tables are a very powerful and time-saving feature of Excel. Please refer to below articles to learn more.
- How to create and use tables in Excel
- Tables + VLOOKUP examples
VLOOKUP - Video Tutorial
Please refer to below video tutorial to understand how to use VLOOKUP.
Download VLOOKUP Examples - Workbook
Please download the sample workbook for this article and learn how to use VLOOKUP quickly.
What are the limitations of VLOOKUP?
While VLOOKUP is a game changer when it was originally introduced, when you look at the data challenges we all face in 2024, it suffers from many limitations. Here are the main downsides of using VLOOKUP.
- It can only lookup on the left-most column: VLOOKUP can only search on the data in left-most column of the table and return values to the right. So, if you want to find out the sales person’s name who has sales of $2,133, we can’t do that with VLOOKUP.
- We can use INDEX+MATCH or XLOOKUP (my preference) to solve this problem.
- Column Numbers: Let’s be real. Nobody refers to their data by column numbers. We think and memorize the data by what it is. So, if I want to lookup a name and get the corresponding sales, then I must translate the sales to column number for VLOOKUP. This is lame.
- We can use XLOOKUP to fix this problem.
- No Error handling: VLOOKUP doesn’t handle errors by itself. So if your lookup cannot find the value, it just comes back with #N/A. This often has a cascading effect on the charts, dashboards or reports you create.
- We can use either XLOOKUP or IFERROR to solve this problem.
- Approximate Trap: I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally leave the last parameter of VLOOKUP out and end up getting wrong results. This is because, if you forget to say FALSE at the end of VLOOKUP, you fall into the approximate trap. Your VLOOKUP RESULTS WILL BE WRONG.
- We can use XLOOKUP or be careful when writing VLOOKUPS.
My top 3 Alternatives for VLOOKUP
Let me be honest here. As of 2024, I no longer use VLOOKUP to solve my lookup problems in Excel. I use one of these alternatives depending on the nature of the job.
- XLOOKUP: Ever since XLOOKUP was launched a few years ago, it has become my go to lookup formula. It can do everything VLOOKUP does and adds many time-saving features.
- XLOOKUP can lookup both vertically or horizontally.
- XLOOKUP defaults to exact match all the time.
- It can lookup on any column and return another column (thus fixing the left column only limitation of VLOOKUP)
- It has built-in error handling mechanism.
- It works well with new Dynamic Array world of Excel.
- Power Query: We can use the MERGE Queries functionality of Power Query to lookup and get matching values for two tables quickly and efficiently. I mention this in my recent video here.
- Power Pivot: If you have two tables each holding one piece of a data puzzle and you want to answer business questions by combining both datasets, we can use Power Pivot’s relationship feature. This automatically connects both tables and let’s you synthesize data to answer queries. Learn how to use Power Pivot to replace VLOOKUPs.
In conclusion: Should you learn and use VLOOKUP?
As mentioned above, I no longer actively use VLOOKUP for my lookup problems. That said, it is a very useful formula and I recommend everyone to learn the basic syntax at the minimum.
- If you use Excel 365 or Excel on Web: Focus on learning XLOOKUP instead.
- If you also work in Power BI: Learn how to use Power Query and Power Pivot to replace LOOKUPS in your data.
- If you work with older versions of Excel: Then VLOOKUP is a must for you. Learn and use it well.
More information on VLOOKUP
Check out below resources and help to learn more about VLOOKUP and alternatives.
43 Responses to “VLOOKUP formula in excel with examples”
Chandoo,
Loved the homework. Is there a better way to do questions 2,3,4?
2)=IF(VLOOKUP("Jamie",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)>VLOOKUP("Jackie",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE),"Jamie","Jackie")
3)=VLOOKUP("Jagjit",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)/VLOOKUP("Jagjit",$B$5:$E$17,2,FALSE)
4)=VLOOKUP($G$17,$B$5:$E$17,4,FALSE)/VLOOKUP($G$17,$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
They just seem kind of long to do simple tasks...
-Perry
Thanks for the great posts!
Hi,
I was just going through "Top 10 Excel formulas for you". I used Networkdays and Workday as well as Vlookup. I have always faced trouble while using Vlookup formula. However, the examples provided by you were so very simple that it generated my interest to learning more and more about Vlookup and excel as a whole.
Thank you so very much for that!
Sumeet Puri
[...] you have learned how to write vlookup formulas. You have also seen some pretty interesting examples of it (1, [...]
[...] far we have seen what VLOOKUP formula is and how to put it to some nifty uses. Today, we will go one step further and learn how to do 2 Way [...]
[...] know that VLOOKUP formula is useful to fetch the first matching item from a list. So what would you do if you need 2nd (or [...]
[...] have talked a lot about VLOOKUP and other lookup formulas recently during VLOOKUP [...]
Chandoo - I am enjoying Excel school. My question about VLookup is as follows...I have a spreadsheet which is more or less a directory. The first column lists the last names of approx. 950 medical providers, the next column is first name, the next is credentials and so on. The providers phone and fax numbers, email addresses, specialty, office address, etc. are listed. I want to create a simple vlookup so that a person can type in the last name and the fax, phone, and email address are delivered. I've created the formula and it works...HOWEVER, it does not work when there is more than one provider with the same last name (for example, Patel, or Williams)...the formula only delivers results for the first instance of that name entered. Is there a workaround for this problem?
By using countif, concatenate and vlookup together, you can find more than one result with vlookup. You simply number the results and all will be given.
[...] have used pivot tables, SUMPRODUCT, SUMIFS, INDEX+MATCH, VLOOKUP formulas to process the [...]
Dear Chandoo,
My problem is very much similar to John O'connor. I have to summarize the value of the coloumn which matches the Vlookup value. Example: Col are as follows- Salesman, Brand,Sales. Now if I have to calculate sum of sales done by a salesman XYZ using Vlookup. Can i do it?how?
@Newexcell... you should use SUMIF formula. Visit http://chandoo.org/wp/2008/11/12/using-countif-sumif-excel-help/ for some examples and help.
Dear Chandoo,
I have an obligation of using Vlook-up, i can mix it with some other formulas. I thought of giving this a try using SUM, offset, vlookup, but did not succeed. 🙁
Why would you have such an obligation? VLOOKUP is not the formula for what you are trying to do...
I have an assignment to be done...just vlookup..that can be mixed with other formulas also.
Is there a way a "layman" can display a bar chart or data bar in the background of a column of cells containing sales data to show what percentage of the budgeted revenue has been collected? The budgeted revenue is in another column. I currently have the percentages displaying in another column, and have used conditional formatting to see the data bar (with gradient fill) in the background of the displayed percent, but I want to eliminate the extar column and see the data bar in the revenue field.
[...] VLOOKUP Formula [...]
Great site!! Gracias!
Here it is my task:
I need to list a series of names related to a given number.
let´s say.... I have a list of names related to different numbers, since I want to use a drop menu every-time I hit any number from the list I want to call all the names related to that number.
B1:1 C3: John C4: Jennifer C5: Erick C6: Alma
B7:2 C:7 Jimmy C8: Boris
B9:3 C9: Mary
B10:4 C10 to C:18 More names...
in an other cel I will have a drop menu with the numbers so each time I select a number I want to see all names related to that number.
Please help!! is vlookup the right formula, ´cause it returns only one name...
Thank you
dear chandoo,
i need to do some checking of names from one sheet to another (i.e. whether the names on Sheet1 are missing from Sheet2). but the problem with vlookup is that it only works when the names are in exact match, and mine is not (e.g. in sheet1: John Lim, sheet2: Lim Yandi John).
in other words, the first, last and middle names are rearranged.
im wondering if there are any other formulas i can use instead of vlookup?
i only got the 1st one in the home work. I can only get the other 3 with helper cells!
Hi Chandoo,
2) =VLOOKUP("jamie",B5:E17,3,FALSE)>VLOOKUP("jackie",B5:E17,3,FALSE)
when I use this condition.. Answer is True. Meaning Jamie made more sales. Can you please tell me how to get the sales person name in the place of value "TRUE"
Thank you
@Mangapathi
=IF(VLOOKUP("jamie",B5:E17,3,FALSE)>VLOOKUP("jackie",B5:E17,3,FALSE),"Jamie", "Jackie")Make sure when you copy it that you check the " characters as they don't translate well
Dear sir,
I am using Excel 2013 and in your formula i am getting error. I want name to be displayed instead of true
Thanks Boss !!!! i am very Happy because of my work is done for this formula.
Regards,
NAVNATH GAIKWAD.
MUMBAI
THANK YOU SO MUCH...U R GREAT!!!!!
Challenge #2: What is amount payable after accumulated quantity discount?
I am not able to solve the above challenge. I am pretty much a newbie. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
DO not use vlookups with numbers. They return errors and then you cannot sum your data. Rather use the sumif formula or alternatively use the iferror and vlookup in combination
http://www.31bestofexcel.com/Formulas/Lookup-formulas/Vlookup-formula/Vlookup.php
[...] «??? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? chandoo.com» [...]
[...] «??? ??????? ?????? ?? ???? chandoo.com» [...]
[…] now you know that VLOOKUP() cannot fetch values from columns to left. It does not matter if the person looking up is the star […]
[…] Read more – What is VLOOKUP formula and how to use it? […]
[…] another table where we list points in accordance to the Lines that we have already created. We will use VLOOKUP () to fetch the corresponding coordinate through this formula and we will do this for all the three […]
I want to ask somthing about some sheets
[…] Master the VLOOKUP – VLOOKUP is an Excel function that searches for values in a column of a spreadsheet list or table. The V in VLOOKUP stands for vertical (column). It allows you to pull data in from other places in your Excel sheet. A simple example is a spreadsheet containing thousands of part numbers, each with a description and a price. The VLOOKUP allows the user to enter a part number and immediately obtain the description and price. For more on VLOOKUP, visit this tutorial. […]
In your site...
http://chandoo.org/wp/2010/11/01/vlookup-excel-formula/
under the caption...
VLOOKUP Syntax & Examples:
in the JPEG...
in the example it is written...
vlookup("John",list,2,false) = finds where Jon is in the list and returns the value in the 2nd column
But, Jon should be John.
Am I right?
I used:
1. VLOOKUP(G17,B4:E17,3,FALSE)
2. IF(VLOOKUP("Jamie",B4:E17,3,FALSE) > VLOOKUP("Jackie",B4:E17,3,FALSE),"Jamie",IF(VLOOKUP("Jamie",B4:E17,3,FALSE) < VLOOKUP("Jackie",B4:E17,3,FALSE),"Jackie","Same"))
3. VLOOKUP("Jagjit",B4:E17,3,FALSE)/VLOOKUP("Jagjit",B4:E17,2,FALSE)
4. (VLOOKUP(G17,B4:E17,4,FALSE)/VLOOKUP(G17,B4:E17,3,FALSE))*100
I used:
1. =VLOOKUP($G$17,$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)
2. =if(VLOOKUP("Jamie",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)>VLOOKUP("Jackie",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE),"Jemie","Jackie")
3. = (VLOOKUP("Jagjit",$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE)/VLOOKUP("Jagjit",$B$5:$E$17,2,FALSE))
4.=(VLOOKUP($G$17,$B$5:$E$17,4,FALSE))/(VLOOKUP($G$17,$B$5:$E$17,3,FALSE))
[…] What is VLOOKUP Formula & How to use it? http://chandoo.org/wp/2010/11/01/vlookup-excel-formula/ […]
I have 2 sheets with below data
sheet1:
id value
1
3
2
sheet2:
1 A
2 BB
3 C
vlookup used: =VLOOKUP(Sheet2!A2,Sheet2!A2:B4,2,0)
Result:
1 A
3 BB
2 C
Expected:
1 A
3 C
2 BB
I am looking for exact match for the value being searched. However, it is giving me values as per sequence.
Any help would be appreciated.
Hello,
I'm trying to do a vlookup to find cusip (from look up Table) in the example below, but the Cusip doesn't pull since the value has extra word "CORP" in the 1st cell. Would you be able to let me know if there's a better formula that may work in a situation like this? if the value doesn't match exactly.
Credit Facility Cusip
COMPUWARE 65 =VLOOKUP(A2&B2,TABLE!A:D,4,FALSE)
Look up TABLE: (4 cells)
COMPUWARE CORP65 | COMPUWARE CORP | 65 | AB987654
Thanks!
I actually avoid VLOOKUP at all costs since I've mastered INDEX-MATCH. Are there times when the advantage would be to use VLOOKUP?
Thank you so much Chandoo! I love wht=at I have learned today!
[…] Master the VLOOKUP – VLOOKUP is an Excel function that searches for values in a column of a spreadsheet list or table. The V in VLOOKUP stands for vertical (column). It allows you to pull data in from other places in your Excel sheet. A simple example is a spreadsheet containing thousands of part numbers, each with a description and a price. The VLOOKUP allows the user to enter a part number and immediately obtain the description and price. For more on VLOOKUP, visit this tutorial. […]
[…] EXCEL VLookUp Formula by Chandoo […]