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VLOOKUP

The VLOOKUP function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for performing vertical lookups. It allows you to search for a key in the first column of a range and retrieve the value of a specified cell in the same row. Whether you're looking up customer information, product prices, or employee data, the VLOOKUP function simplifies the process. Read on to learn how to use this function effectively.

Function Syntax and Parameters

Syntax: VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])

Parameters:

  • search_key: The value to search for in the left-most column of the range.
  • range: The range of cells to perform the search on, including the left-most column where the search should be conducted.
  • index: The column number within the range from which the value should be retrieved.
  • is_sorted [Optional]: A boolean value indicating whether the range is sorted in ascending order. Default value is true.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

  1. Using VLOOKUP with an exact match:

    • Example: =VLOOKUP("apple", A1:B5, 2, false)
    • Result: Returns the value in the second column of the row where "apple" is found in column A.

  2. Using VLOOKUP with approximate match and sorted range:

    • Example: =VLOOKUP(80, A1:B5, 2, true)
    • Result: Returns the value in the second column of the row with the closest match to 80 in the sorted range of column A.

  3. Using VLOOKUP with wildcard characters:

    • Example: =VLOOKUP("ap*", A1:B5, 2, false)
    • Result: Returns the value in the second column of the row where the value in column A starts with "ap".

Use Cases and Scenarios

  1. Customer Database: Retrieve customer information based on their unique identifier.
  2. Pricing Lookup: Find the price of a product based on its SKU.
  3. Employee Directory: Get an employee's contact information by searching for their name.

Related Functions

  • HLOOKUP: Perform a horizontal lookup in Google Sheets.
  • INDEX: Retrieve a value from a specified position in a range.

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