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VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP searches for a key in the leftmost column of a table and returns a value from a column you specify. It is the classic lookup function — best when your lookup column sits to the left of the data you want back.
Topic:VLOOKUPExcel
=VLOOKUP(D2, A:B, 2, FALSE)Google Sheets
=VLOOKUP(D2, A:B, 2, FALSE)Try it with your data
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How it works
- 1D2 is the value you are searching for.
- 2A:B is the table; the lookup happens in column A.
- 32 returns the value from the 2nd column (B).
- 4FALSE forces an exact match.
More on VLOOKUP
See all →How-to
How to VLOOKUP from another sheet
Pull a value from a different tab with VLOOKUP by prefixing the range with the sheet name. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix #N/A
Fix #N/A errors in VLOOKUP in Excel and Google Sheets — covers missing matches, extra spaces, data-type mismatches, and range mistakes.
How-toHow to VLOOKUP with multiple criteria
Look up a value that matches two or more conditions using INDEX/MATCH with joined keys. Works in Excel 365 and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix Wrong value
VLOOKUP returns an incorrect value in Excel and Google Sheets — fix wrong column index, approximate match mode, unsorted data, and duplicate lookup keys.
How-toHow to fix VLOOKUP returning #N/A
VLOOKUP shows #N/A when it can’t find a match. Here are the real causes — exact-match, spaces, text-vs-number — and how to fix each.
Error fixFix VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP not working in Excel and Google Sheets — diagnose formula errors, wrong syntax, range issues, and when to switch to a better alternative.