HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP are functions in Microsoft Excel that allow you to use a section of your spreadsheet as a lookup table.

When the VLOOKUP function is called, Excel searches for a lookup value in the leftmost column of a section of your spreadsheet called the table array. The function returns another value in the same row, defined by the column index number.

HLOOKUP is similar to VLOOKUP, but searches a row instead of a column, and the result is offset by a row index number. The V in VLOOKUP stands for vertical search (in a single column), while the H in HLOOKUP stands for horizontal search (within a single row).

VLOOKUP example

Let’s use the workbook below as an example which has two sheets. The first is called “Data Sheet.” On this sheet, each row contains information about an inventory item. The first column is a part number, and the third column is a price in dollars.

The second sheet is called “Lookup Sheet,” and it contains a formula which uses VLOOKUP to look up data on the Data Sheet. In the screenshot below, cell B2 is selected, and its formula is listed in the formula bar at the top.

The value of cell B2 is the formula =VLOOKUP(A2,‘Data Sheet’!$A$2:$C$4,3,FALSE).

The above formula will populate the B2 cell with the price of the part identified in cell A2. If the price changes on the Data Sheet, the value of cell B2 on the Lookup Sheet will be updated automatically to match. Similarly, if the part number in cell A2 on the Lookup Sheet changes, cell B2 automatically updates with the price of that part.

Let’s look at each element of the example formula in more detail.

Remember the following about lookups

  • The lookup value must be in the leftmost column of the table array. If not, the lookup function fails.
  • Make sure that every value in the leftmost column of the table array is unique. If you have duplicate values in the column where the lookup takes place, the results of VLOOKUP are not guaranteed to be correct.

Excel, Formula, Spreadsheet terms

The table array argument takes the general form:

‘SheetName’!$col1$row1:$col2$row2

The first part of this expression identifies a sheet, and the second part identifies a rectangular area on that sheet. Specifically:

  • SheetName is the name of the sheet where the table array (search area) is located. It should be enclosed in single quotes (’ ‘) and followed by an exclamation mark (!). A sheet identifier is required only if you’re looking up data on another sheet. If you omit the sheet identifier, VLOOKUP will attempt to perform the lookup on the same sheet as the function itself.
  • The col1, row1, col2, and row2 identify the upper left column, upper left row, lower right column, and lower right row of the table array, in that order. Each value is preceded by a dollar sign ($), and a colon (:) is used to separate the upper-left and lower-right sets of values.

The leftmost column of the table array must contain your lookup value. Always define your table array so that the leftmost column contains the value you’re looking up.

This argument is required.

In our example, the leftmost column of the table array is A and we want a result from the C column. A is the first column, B is the second column, and C is the third column, so our column index number is 3.

  • A value of TRUE means that Excel will perform a “range lookup,” also known as a fuzzy match. A fuzzy mage means that the starts at the top row of the table array, searching down, one row at a time. If the value in that row is less than the lookup value (numerically or alphabetically), it proceeds to the next row and tries again. When it finds a value greater than the lookup value, it stops searching and takes its result from the previous row. A value of FALSE means range lookup should not be performed. An exact match is required.

If you’re not sure which type of match to use, choose FALSE for an exact match.

If you choose TRUE for a range lookup, make sure the data in the leftmost column of your table array is sorted in ascending order (least-to-greatest). Otherwise, the results are incorrect.

This argument is optional. If you omit this argument, an exact lookup will be performed.