VLOOKUP Introduction, Explanation, Example in Excel (1 of 2)

http://www.TeachMsOffice.com

Part 1 of 2
Here, I explain what the VLOOKUP() function in excel is; what it does; and how it can be useful for you. Note, this is an introduction to the vlookup function and does not cover anything advanced. It will serve to give you a good understanding of how it works and how to use it.

Follow along with the excel spreadsheet used in the tutorial by downloading it at my website. Just navigate to the tutorials section and from there the formulas section:

http://www.TeachMsOffice.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• vlookups
• formulas
• functions
• looking
• hlookup
• columns
• rows
• excel
• introduction
• how
• to
• use
• make
• edit
• write
• data
• tutorial

[ObiWan346]

HOw are you getting N/A in all the titles when you only select 2 or 3 for your index? Im only getting one

[ExcelisHell]

@ObiWan346 Those had already been setup with the vlookup.

[ObiWan346]

@ExcelisHell ok, so you need to set up induvidual look up functions per column for multiple column information? I clicked and dragged to get info as well. Do you recomend this?

[ExcelisHell]

@ObiWan346 That only works if you make sure to put some cell references as absolute and make sure the column index numbers update - you can do this by clicking and dragging only if you setup the vlookup function correctly, which can be difficult - check out the stuff at teachmsoffice. com

[dtecum]

Great tutorial, but it's easier to press the CNTL key and then press the F key and a dialogue window pops up then enter the data you want to find, then hit enter. No formula to remember.

[ExcelisHell]

That only works if you don't want to use Excel as a database and it is not faster then what I showed you how to do here. After you have created this spreadsheet, it's operation will work much more smoothly than what you are suggesting.

[achakran]

too good..thank u soo much Sir.

[ObiWan346]

@ExcelisHell Thanks for this. What I was doing wrong was NOT using the last name as the same value across the board; I was changing the value to C4, D4 etc each time I went to the right. LOL

[ObiWan346]

oh, i see, they each need an induvidual lookup per column? I also used the click and drag, but on some calculation sheets, the numbers were not identical.

[ObiWan346]

When you entered the column index as 2 and 3 your got the same information. All rows came up with Last Name-Phone number. What is the difference?

[satdhillon17]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYOU. THIS EXAMPLE HELP ME DO MY HW .....!!!!!!!