What is VLOOKUP?

VLOOKUP stands for "Vertical Lookup." It searches for a value in the first column of a range and returns a value in the same row from a specified column.

VLOOKUP Syntax

The syntax for VLOOKUP is:

=VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])

• search_key: The value you want to look up.
• range: The table where the search will occur.
• index: The column number in the range from which to return the value.
• [is_sorted]: Optional; set to FALSE for an exact match.

Example Data

Product ID	Product Name	Price
1001	Apple	$1
1002	Banana	$0.5
1003	Cherry	$2

How to Use VLOOKUP in Excel and Google Sheets

1. Open your spreadsheet.
2. Select a cell where you want the result to appear.
3. Enter the formula. For example:

   =VLOOKUP(1002, A2:C4, 3, FALSE)

4. Press Enter. The result will display $0.5.

Tips for Using VLOOKUP

• Ensure that your search_key is in the first column of your specified range.
• If you're looking for an exact match, always set [is_sorted] to FALSE.
• You can drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to other cells.

Conclusion

VLOOKUP is a powerful tool that simplifies data retrieval in spreadsheets. By mastering this function, you can streamline your data analysis processes in both Excel and Google Sheets.