How it works.
VLOOKUP searches vertically down the leftmost column of a table or cell range to find a specified value. Once found, it retrieves another value from that same row in a column index number you specify. It is a legacy formula, but still widely used for backward compatibility.
💡 In simple terms.
Searches down the first column of a table to find a matching word, then reads across that row to get a value from a column you choose.
"Think of VLOOKUP like sliding your finger down a price catalog. You lookup the item name in the left column, then slide your finger to the right to see the price."
Syntax guide.
Parameters
The value to search for in the first column of the table.
The range containing the search column and the return column.
The column number in the table range to return a value from (first column is 1).
TRUE = Approximate match, FALSE = Exact match. In almost all cases, set to FALSE.
Default: FALSEInteractive formula builder.
Fill in the input arguments below to construct your custom formula string. Copy it directly to paste into your Excel spreadsheets.
Best Practices
- Always set range_lookup to FALSE or 0 to avoid incorrect approximate match returns.
- Lock your table_array range with dollar signs (e.g. $A$2:$C$6) when copying formulas down a column.
Common Gotchas
- VLOOKUP can only search from left to right. The lookup value must always be in the first column of the table_array.
- Inserting or deleting columns in the table range shifts the column indices, which breaks VLOOKUP or returns incorrect data.