The VLOOKUP function is one of the most popular functions in Excel. This chapter contains many easy to follow VLOOKUP examples for Exact Match, Approximate Match, Right Lookup, First Match, Case-insensitive, Multiple Criteria, #N/A error and Multiple Lookup Tables. Exact Match Most of the time you are looking for an exact match when you use the VLOOKUP function in Excel. …
Learn all about Excel’s lookup & reference functions such as the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, CHOOSE, MATCH and INDEX function. Navigation: Formula Tab → Function Library Group → Lookup and Reference Vlookup VLOOKUP stands for Vertical lookup. The VLOOKUP function looks for a value in the leftmost column of a table, and then returns a value in the same row from another column …
What is MATCH function in Excel? MATCH function is one of Lookup and Reference functions in Microsoft Excel that is used to search for an item in a range of cells, and then return the relative position of that item in the range. Syntax of MATCH function MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type]) MATCH formula explanation The MATCH function syntax …
To retrieve the first match in two ranges of values, you can use a formula based on the INDEX, MATCH, and COUNTIF functions. Formula =INDEX(range2,MATCH(TRUE,COUNTIF(range1,range2)>0,0)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in G5 is: =INDEX(range2,MATCH(TRUE,COUNTIF(range1,range2)>0,0)) where “range1” is the named range B5:B8, “range2” is the named range D5:D7. How this formula works In this example the named range …
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for mixed data that may contain empty cells, you can use the MATCH function as described below. Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with Control+Shift+Enter. Formula {=MATCH(2,1/(range<>””))} Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: {=MATCH(2,1/(B4:B10<>””))} Last *relative* …
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for numeric data (with or without empty cells), you can use the MATCH function with a so called “big number”. see example below: Formula =MATCH(bignum,range) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: =MATCH(9.99E+307,B4:B9) Last *relative* position, not row on worksheet When …
To get the last relative position (i.e. last row, last column) for text data (with or without empty cells), you can use the MATCH function. See example below: Formula =MATCH(bigtext,range) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E5 is: =MATCH(REPT(“z”,255),B4:B11) How this formula works This formula uses the MATCH function in approximate match mode to locate …
To test if a range contains any values (i.e. at least one value) not in another range, you can use the SUMPRODUCT function with MATCH and ISNA. The MATCH function receives a single lookup value, and returns a single match if any. In this case, however, we are giving MATCH an array for lookup value, …
To use COUNTIFS with a variable table column, you can use INDEX and MATCH to find and retrieve the column for COUNTIFS. See example below: Formula =COUNTIFS(INDEX(Table,0,MATCH(name,Table[#Headers],0)),criteria)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in H5 is: =COUNTIFS(INDEX(Table1,0,MATCH(G5,Table1[#Headers],0)),”x”) How this formula works First, for context, it’s important to note that you can use COUNTIFS with …
To get the index of a column in an Excel Table, you can use the MATCH function. See example below: Formula =MATCH(name,Table[#Headers],0) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in I4 is: =MATCH(H4,Table1[#Headers],0) When the formula is copied down, it returns an index for each column listed in column H. Getting an index like this …
To do a two-way lookup in an Excel Table, you can use the MATCH function with a structured reference and VLOOKUP. See example below: Recall that VLOOKUP depends on the lookup value being to the left of the value being retrieved in a table. Generally, this means the lookup value will be the first value in the table. …
To dynamically sort text values in alphabetical order, you can use use a formula based on the COUNTIF function. Formula =COUNTIF(range,”<=”&A1) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: =COUNTIF(countries,”<=”&B5) where “countries” is the named range B4:B13 How this formula works This formula uses the “greater than or equal to” operator with text, something you …
To extract the word or text value that occurs most frequently in a range, you can use a formula based on several functions INDEX, MATCH, and MODE. Formula =INDEX(range,MODE(MATCH(range,range,0))) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in H5 is: =INDEX(B5:F5,MODE(MATCH(B5:F5,B5:F5,0))) Working from the inside out, the MATCH function matches the range against itself. That is, …
To find the most frequently occurring text in a range, based on criteria you supply, you can use an array formula based on several Excel functions MATCH, MODE, INDEX, and IF. Formula =INDEX(range1,MODE(IF(range2=criteria, MATCH(range1,range1,0)))) Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift + enter. Explanation In the example shown, the formula …
To generated a random number, weighted with a given probability, you can use a helper table together with a formula based on the RAND and MATCH functions. Formula =MATCH(RAND(),cumulative_probability) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in F5 is: =MATCH(RAND(),D$5:D$10) How this formula works This formula relies on the helper table visible in the range …
To get the next scheduled event from a list of events with dates, you can use an array formula based on the MIN and TODAY functions to find the next date, and INDEX and MATCH to display the event on that date. Formula {=MIN(IF((range>=TODAY()),range))} Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with Control + …
To calculate work hours between two dates with a custom schedule, you can use a formula based on the WEEKDAY and SUMPRODUCT functions, with help from ROW, INDIRECT, and MID. Formula =SUMPRODUCT(MID(schedule,WEEKDAY (ROW(INDIRECT(start&”:”&end))),1)*ISNA (MATCH(ROW(INDIRECT(start&”:”&end)),holidays,0))) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in F8 is: =SUMPRODUCT(MID(D6,WEEKDAY(ROW (INDIRECT(B6&”:”&C6))),1)*ISNA(MATCH (ROW(INDIRECT(B6&”:”&C6)),holidays,0))) Which returns 36 hours, based on a custom …
To abbreviate text that contains capital letters, you can try this array formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, which is new in Excel 2016. You can use this approach to create initials from names, or to create acronyms. Only capital letters will survive this formula, so the source text must include capitalized words. You can …
Set criteria to accept specific characters only To use data validation to allow a list of specific characters only, you can use a rather complicated array formula based on the COUNT, MATCH, and LEN functions. Formula =COUNT(MATCH(MID(A1,ROW(INDIRECT (“1:”&LEN(A1))),1),allowed&””,0))=LEN(A1) Explanation In the example shown, data validation is applied with this formula: =COUNT(MATCH(MID(B5,ROW(INDIRECT (“1:”&LEN(B5))),1),allowed&””,0))=LEN(B5) where “allowed” is …
This tutorial shows how to Categorize text with keywords in Excel using the example below; Formula {=INDEX(categories,MATCH(TRUE,ISNUMBER (SEARCH(keywords,text)),0))} Explanation To categorize text using keywords with a “contains” match, you can use the SEARCH function, with help from INDEX and MATCH. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: {=INDEX(categories,MATCH(TRUE, ISNUMBER(SEARCH(keywords,B5)),0))} where “keywords” is the named …
This tutorial shows how to Highlight approximate match lookup conditional formatting in Excel using the example below; Formula =OR($B5=LOOKUP(width,widths),B$5=LOOKUP(height,heights)) Explanation To highlight rows and columns associated with an approximate match, you can use conditional formatting with a formula based on the LOOKUP function together with with a logical function like OR or AND. In the example …
This tutorial shows how to Exact match lookup with INDEX and MATCH in Excel using the example below; Formula {=INDEX(data,MATCH(TRUE,EXACT(val,lookup_col),0),col_num)} Explanation Case-sensitive lookup By default, standard lookups with VLOOKUP or INDEX + MATCH aren’t case-sensitive. Both VLOOKUP and MATCH will simply return the first match, ignoring case. However, if you need to do a case-sensitive …
This tutorial shows how to Match next highest value in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDEX(data,MATCH(lookup,values)+1) Explanation To match the “next highest” value in a lookup table, you can use a formula based on INDEX and MATCH. In the example shown, the formula in F6 is: =INDEX(level,MATCH(F4,points)+1) where “level” is the named range C5:C9, …
This tutorial shows how to Find lowest n values in Excel using the example below; Formula =SMALL(range,n) Explanation To find the n lowest values in a set of data, you can use the SMALL function. This can be combined with INDEX as shown below to retrieve associated values. In the example shown, the formula in …
This tutorial shows how to Match first error in Excel using the example below; Formula {=MATCH(TRUE,ISERROR(range),0)} Explanation If you need to match the first error in a range of cells, you can use an array formula based on the MATCH and ISERROR functions. In the example shown, the formula is: {=MATCH(TRUE,ISERROR(B4:B11),0)} This is an array …
This tutorial shows how to Find missing values in Excel using the example below; Formula =IF(COUNTIF(list,value),”OK”,”Missing”) Explanation If you want to find out what values in one list are missing from another list, you can use a simple formula based on the COUNTIF function. The COUNTIF function counts cells that meet supplied criteria, returning the …
This tutorial shows how to Merge tables with VLOOKUP in Excel using the example below; Formula =VLOOKUP($A1,table,COLUMN()-x,0) Explanation To merge tables, you can use the VLOOKUP function to lookup and retrieve data from one table to the other. To use VLOOKUP this way, both tables must share a common id or key. This article explains how join …
This tutorial shows how to Get first match cell contains in Excel using the example below; Formula {=INDEX(things,MATCH(TRUE,ISNUMBER(SEARCH(things,A1)),0))} Explanation To check a cell for one of several things, and return the first match found in the list, you can use an INDEX / MATCH formula that uses SEARCH or FIND to locate a match. This …
This tutorial shows how to work Multi-criteria lookup and transpose in Excel using the example below; Formula {=INDEX(range1,MATCH(1,($A1=range2)*(B$1=range3),0))} Explanation To perform a multi-criteria lookup and transpose results into a table, you can use an array formula based on INDEX and MATCH. In the example shown, the formula in G5 is: {=INDEX(amount,MATCH(1,($F5=location)*(G$4=date),0))} Note this formula is an array formula and must …
This tutorial shows how to Get first non-blank value in a list in Excel using the example below; Formula {=INDEX(range,MATCH(FALSE,ISBLANK(range),0))} Explanation If you need to get the first non-blank value (text or number) in a in a one-column range you can use an array formula based on the INDEX, MATCH, and ISBLANK functions. In the …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Next largest match with the MATCH function in Excel using the example below; Formula =MATCH(value,array,-1) Explanation To lookup the “next largest” match in a set of values, you can use the MATCH function in approximate match mode, with -1 for match type. In the example shown, the formula in F7 is: …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Approximate match with multiple criteria in Excel using the example below; Explanation To lookup and approximate match based on more than one criteria, you can use an array formula based on INDEX and MATCH, with help from the IF function. In the example shown, the formula in G8 is: …
This tutorial shows how to Get information corresponding to max value in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDEX(range1,MATCH(MAX(range2),range2,0) Explanation To lookup information related to the maximum value in a range, you can use a formula that combines the MAX, INDEX, and MATCH functions. In the example shown, the formula in I8 is: =INDEX(F3:F11,MATCH(MAX(C3:C11),C3:C11,0)) Which …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Partial match against numbers with wildcard in Excel using the example below; Formula {=MATCH(“*”&number&”*”,TEXT(range,”0″),0)} Explanation To perform a partial match (a substring match) against numbers, you can use an array formula based on MATCH and TEXT. Background Excel supports the wildcard characters “*” and “?”. However, if you use wildcards with a number, you’ll …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Basic INDEX MATCH approximate in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDEX(grades,MATCH(score,scores,1)) Explanation This example shows how to use INDEX and MATCH to retrieve a grade from a table based a given score. This requires an “approximate match”, since it is unlikely that the actual score exists in the table. The …
This tutorial shows how to Get nth match with VLOOKUP in Excel using the example below; Formula =VLOOKUP(id_formula,table,4,0) Explanation To get the nth MATCH with VLOOKUP, you’ll need to add a helper column to your table that constructs a unique id that includes the count. If this isn’t practical, you can use an array formula based …
This tutorial shows how to work Position of first partial match using the example below; Formula =MATCH(“*text*”,range,0) Explanation To get the position of the first partial match (i.e. the cell that contains text you are looking for) you can use the MATCH function with wildcards. In the example shown, the formula in E8 is: =MATCH(“*”&E7&”*”,B6:B11,0) How this formula works …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Basic INDEX MATCH exact in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDEX(data,MATCH(value,lookup_column,FALSE),column) Explanation This example shows how to use INDEX and MATCH to get information from a table based on an exact match. In the example shown, the formula in cell H6 is: =INDEX(B5:E9,MATCH(H4,B5:B9,FALSE),2) which returns 1995, the year …
This tutorial shows how to calculate INDEX and MATCH descending order in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDEX(range1,MATCH(lookup,range2,-1)) Explanation To retrieve values from a table where lookup values are sorted in descending order [Z-A] you can use INDEX and MATCH, with MATCH configured for approximate match using a match type of -1. In the example …
This tutorial shows how to calculate Position of max value in list in Excel using the example below; Formula =MATCH(MAX(range),range,0) Explanation To get the position of the maximum value in a range (i.e. a list, table, or row), you can use the MAX function together with the MATCH function. In the example shown, the formula in …