VLOOKUP Function

VLOOKUP in excel stands for vertical lookup. This simple function is extremely useful if you have large lists of data. With this function, you can easily search through a list of data and match specific criteria. In the example below, we will use this function to match a batting average with a specific player.

Syntax

To start off, lets take a look at the VLOOKUP syntax.

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,range_lookup)

lookup _value:
This is the value you want to match. The lookup _value can be a text, a logical value (TRUE or FALSE only), a number, or a cell that references a value.

table_array:

This is the range of data range that our function uses to perform our search. The array used in VLOOKUP must contain at least two columns. The first column of data contains the lookup_values.

* It is best to use an absolute cell reference for the table_array. By using “$” in the range, this keeps a cell reference fixed on a certain cell, or cells.

col_index_num:
Enter the column number of the table_array from which you want data returned from. For example:

• if the col_index_num is 1, it returns a value from the first column in the table_array;
• if the col_index_num is 2, it returns a value from the second column in the table_array.

range_lookup:
True or False. The range_lookup must be a logical value.

• If TRUE or if this argument is omitted, VLOOKUP will use an approximate match if it cannot find an exact match to the lookup_value. If an exact match is not found, VLOOKUP uses the next largest lookup_value.
• If FALSE, VLOOKUP will only use an exact match to the lookup_value. If there are two or more values in the first column of table_array that match the lookup_value, the first value found is used. If an exact match is not found, an #N/A error is returned.
  

VLOOKUP Example

In the image below, we are telling Excel in Cell D1 to look at the range E2:F6 and find Ty Cobb. Once Ty Cobb is found, we want VLOOKUP to show Ty’s batting average listed in cell D1