The Ultimate Guide to Using the LOOKUP Function in Excel: Everything You Need to Know

The LOOKUP function in Excel is a powerful tool that helps you search and retrieve data based on specific conditions. Learn how to use the LOOKUP function in two forms: Array Form and Vector Form, through examples and detailed instructions. Take advantage of Excel's ability to search and manipulate data effectively.

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The LOOKUP function in Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that allows you to search and retrieve information from a range of data. This function is capable of performing lookups based on the value you provide and returning the corresponding result from a different data range. This is useful when working with large data tables or when you need to determine a specific value based on certain conditions. Below, we will explore in detail how to use the LOOKUP function along with a detailed example on a computer to illustrate!

1. What is the LOOKUP function in Excel?

The LOOKUP function is a function in Microsoft Excel used to search for a value in a range or table and return the corresponding value based on a match. The LOOKUP function can be used to look up data or substitute different values based on the condition you set.

2. LOOKUP function formula

The LOOKUP function in Excel can be used in two forms: Array Form and Vector Form. Here is a guide on how to use both forms:

1. Using Array Form

The array form of the LOOKUP function allows you to search for a value in a data range and return the corresponding value from a different range. Here’s how to use it:

Formula:

=LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_vector, result_vector)

Where:

  • lookup_value: The value you want to search for.
  • lookup_vector: The data range in which you want to search for the value.
  • result_vector: The data range that contains the value you want to return when a value is found.

Common characteristics:

  • Used to search for a value in a data range and return the corresponding value from a different range.
  • Data does not need to be sorted.
  • The LOOKUP function uses a value to compare with the values in the lookup_vector and returns the corresponding value from the result_vector.

Example: Suppose you have two lists: one list containing the names of people and one list containing the corresponding phone numbers. The data could be as follows:

Now, you want to find the phone number of the person with the name A. You can use the LOOKUP function as follows:

=LOOKUP(“A”, A2:A5, B2:B5)

The result of the above formula will be the phone number corresponding to the name A, which is 123-456-7890.

2. Using Vector Form

The vector form of the LOOKUP function allows you to search for a value in a sorted data range and return the corresponding value from a different range. Here’s how to use it:

Formula:

=LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, result_array)

Where:

  • lookup_value: The value you want to search for.
  • lookup_array: The data range that has been sorted in ascending order in which you want to search for the value.
  • result_array: The data range that contains the value you want to return when a value is found.

Common characteristics:

  • Used to search for a value in a sorted data range and return the corresponding value from a different range.
  • Data needs to be sorted in ascending order.
  • The LOOKUP function uses a value to compare with the values in the lookup_array and returns the corresponding value from the result_array.

Example: Suppose you have a list of products and their prices in a data table as follows:

Formula using the LOOKUP function:

You want to find the price of the product Tablet. Using the Vector Form of the LOOKUP function, you can do the following:

=LOOKUP(“Tablet”, A2:A5, B2:B5)

The result of the above formula will be the price of the Tablet product, which is 300 USD.

The vector form of the LOOKUP function allows you to quickly search for a value within a range of data and return the corresponding result from the same range of data.

3. Additional Information about the LOOKUP function

The LOOKUP function can work with number ranges or text ranges, and can be used with different types of ranges such as dates, times, etc. The LOOKUP function requires the range or table you are looking up to be sorted in ascending order.

If there is no match or the lookup_value is outside the range or table of the lookup_vector, the LOOKUP function will return the closest value in the lookup_vector.

The LOOKUP function is one of the powerful tools in Excel for searching and extracting information from large datasets.

This recent article has helped you to understand in detail and how to use the LOOKUP function in Excel extremely simple and fast. If you find it useful, you can share this article with your loved ones and friends!

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Frequently asked questions

The LOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to retrieve data from a table or range by specifying the row and column index. It’s particularly useful when you need to look up values in a table based on specific criteria.

The function uses the following syntax: LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_vector, [result_vector]). You provide the value you want to find (lookup_value), the range or array of values to search through (lookup_vector), and optionally, an array of corresponding results (result_vector). The function then returns the value in the result_vector that is in the same position as the lookup_value in the lookup_vector.

There are two main types: vector lookup and array lookup. Vector lookup returns a value from a single row or column based on the position of the lookup_value in the lookup_vector. Array lookup, on the other hand, returns a value from a range or table based on the relative position of the lookup_value and result_vector.

To use it, first select the cell where you want the result to appear. Then, enter the function in the formula bar, providing the appropriate arguments. Ensure that your lookup_vector is either a single row or column, and that your result_vector, if provided, is the same size as the lookup_vector.

Common errors include using a lookup_vector that isn’t properly organized as a single row or column, providing a result_vector that isn’t the same size as the lookup_vector, or using a lookup_value that doesn’t match any values in the lookup_vector. Additionally, the function is case-sensitive, so ensure your lookup values match in case.

Yes, you can use it with tables or named ranges. Simply refer to the table or named range in your formula instead of specifying a cell range. This can make your formulas more dynamic and easier to understand.

Alternatives include the VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX-MATCH functions. VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP are similar but have limitations in terms of flexibility. The INDEX-MATCH combination is often considered more powerful and versatile, allowing for vertical and horizontal lookups without the restrictions of VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP.

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