STATISTICS LAB
VLOOKUP - MS EXCEL
VLOOKUP(Vertical Lookup) is a function in Microsoft Excel that helps users search for a specific value in the first column of a
range or table and return a corresponding value from another column in the same row. It is widely used for data analysis and
automation in Excel.
Procedure for using
VLOOKUP
SYNTAX:
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num,
[range_lookup])
• lookup_value: The value you want to search for.
• table_array: The range of cells where the data resides
(e.g., A1:D20).
• col_index_num: The column number (starting from 1) in
the table array from which to return the value.
• range_lookup (optional):
• TRUE for an approximate match (default).
• FALSE for an exact match.
Procedure for using VLOOKUP
• Ensure your dataset is organized in columns.
• The column where the lookup value resides
must be the first column in the table array.
Insert the VLOOKUP Formula:
• Select the cell where you want the result to
appear.
• Enter the formula based on your data.
For example:
=VLOOKUP("Product A", A2:D20, 3,
FALSE)
This searches for “Product A” in the first
column of the range A2:D20 and retrieves the
value from the 3rd column.
Adjust Cell References
• Use absolute references (e.g., $A$2:$D$20) if you plan to copy the formula to other cells, ensuring the table range remains fixed.
Handle Errors Gracefully
• Wrap the formula with IFERROR to manage missing or incorrect lookup values:
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, A2:D20, 3, FALSE), "Not Found”)
Applications of VLOOKUP
1. Data Retrieval
• Example: Retrieve a product’s price, description, or category using its name or ID.
2. Merging Datasets
• Combine information from two different sheets or tables based on a common key (e.g., employee IDs).
3. Grading Systems
• Assign grades based on a score by looking up a range table.
4. Inventory Management
• Find the stock count, price, or supplier of an item using its SKU or name.
5. Sales and Financial Analysis
• Automate the calculation of commissions or retrieve tax rates from a reference table.
6. Reporting
• Pull specific data points for dashboards and reports.