Three basic LOOKUP functions and INDEX and CHOOSE and MATCH:

VLOOKUP
HLOOKUP

LOOKUP

INDEX
CHOOSE
MATCH

VLOOKUP: Looks at a cell, then takes that value and goes over to a look up table where it looks in the first column, and
corresponding value in the first columns, it moves to the left in that row and retrieves a value from one of the tables columns
cell.
Arguments

lookup_value

table_array

col_index_num

range_lookup

steps
1

4
 Three basic LOOKUP functions and INDEX and CHOOSE and MATCH:
Most common because most lookup tables like tax tables and price tables are orientated vertically
Most tables are vertical, not horizontal, so using HLOOKUP is rare.

Although LOOKUP was one of the first functions in a spreadsheet, the VLOOKUP can do almost everything that the LOOKUP do
and more. The one thing that the LOOKUP can do that the VLOOKUP (or HLOOKUP) can't do is retrieve a value to the left or ab
lookup_value column or row; it can also have a column and a row area. LOOKUP function must have the lookup_vector sorted
ascending order. LOOKUP looks up the greatest value that does not exceed a specified value anywhere in a table or rang

Good when you have more than one table to look values up in. (non-contiguous ranges must be in parenthesis and stored all o
same worksheet). You can also have a table with intersection lookup values where INDEX and MATCH can be used together to
up labels and return intersection of two labels. Also can be used as a replacement for VLOOKUP when the data you want to re
is to the left of the lookup column.
CHOOSE can return a value or a range from a list of 1 to 254 arguments.
This function tells you the ordinal position of an item in a list

VLOOKUP: Looks at a cell, then takes that value and goes over to a look up table where it looks in the first column, and when it finds the
ponding value in the first columns, it moves to the left in that row and retrieves a value from one of the tables columns and brings it back
cell.
Descriptions

The date you want to look up. This value can be a number, text, a logical value, or a name or cell reference that refers to a val

The lookup table. The first column must have the values to look up such as part number, part name, tax bracket wage figures,
grade number intervals. The other columns can have data that you want to retrieve such as part price, tax rates, tax paid from
earlier brackets.
The number of the column containing the data you want to retrieve. The number 1 indicates that first column; 2 indicates the
second column.
The type of lookup you want to perform: TRUE or FALSE. With TRUE (the default), the VLOOKUP function finds the greates
value that does not exceed the lookup_value value. When the lookup type is TRUE, the first column must be sorted in asce
order, otherwise the VLOOKUP might not retrieve the correct value. With FALSE, the VLOOKUP looks for an exact match of t
lookup_value.

VLOOKUP Algorithm
Looks for an exact match. If duplicate values it ignores the second value. If no match it goes to step 2
If the lookup_value is smaller than the first value in the first column, #N/A error is displayed. If the value is greater than the fi
value in the first column, it goes to step 3
The VLOOKUP function continues checking until it sees a value bigger than the lookup_value, then it uses the previous row an
retrieves a value from that row.

It looks to see if the next value is the last value in the table, if it is it retrieves a value from this row, otherwise it repeats step 3
1) The V in VLOOKUP means Vertical.
2) VLOOKUP function returns something to a cell or formula that it found in a lookup table.
VLOOKUP(cell you want to lookup, Lookup Table, Column Designation of value you want to return to the cell, Exact
3) Match = 0 or approximate value = 1 (default))
Approximate value means that when the function sees a value that is bigger than the lookup_value, it stops and uses
4) that row above that value.

For approximate value, VLOOKUP takes the value you tell it to look at, goes to the first column of the lookup table
(sorted ascending) and if the first value is less than the lookup_value it returns #N/A otherwise it races down the
column until it sees a value bigger than the lookup_value and then it uses the row above, then it goes to the column
5) that you specified and gets that value, then brings it back to the cell or formula.
Using named ranges for lookup table is usually efficient. Using Data Validation for the lookup cell helps the accuracy
6) of your task.
When creating the lookup_table in the formula itself: 1) enclose the table in curly brackets { }; 2) column elements are
7) separated by commas ,; 3) row elements are separated by semicolons ;.

Example 1: Deliver value to cell. Find approximate

1 value from column 2 of lookup table.
0F
0.65 D
0.75 C
0.85 B
0.95 A

Score Grade
0.75

Example 2: Deliver value to cell. Find exact value

2 from column 2 of lookup table.
Product 1 $ 20.00
Product 2 $ 25.00
Product 3 $ 15.00
Product 4 $ 15.00
Product 5 $ 16.00

Product Price
Product 2

Example 3: Deliver value to cell. Find value from column 2 & 3. Use
3 COLUMN function (tells you what column you are in).
Product Price Description
Boom01 $15.00 Flying Range is 10
Boom02 $30.00 Flying Range is 20
Boom03 $40.00 Flying Range is 50
 Boom04 $45.00 Flying Range is 60
Boom05 $65.00 Flying Range is 70
Boom06 $69.00 Flying Range is 80
Boom07 $100.00 Flying Range is 85
Boom08 $110.00 Flying Range is 110
Boom09 $165.00 Flying Range is 160

Product Price Description

Boom07

Example 4: Use VLOOKUP to deliver a value to a

4 formula.
Days Late % Late Fee
0 1%
30 2%
60 3%
90 5%

Days Late Balance Late Charge

89 $500.00

Example 5: Use multiple VLOOKUPs in 1 formula to deliver mutiple values to a formula. Also, Use IF function or IFERROR
5 solve #N/A error problem
Manufacturers Plus
Income Statement
Projected Net Income For The Years Ended December 31

2003 2004 2005 2006

Net Revenues $450,000.00 $495,000.00 $544,500.00 $598,950.00
Expenses 500,000.00 510,000.00 520,200.00 530,604.00
Net Income Before Income Taxes (50,000.00) (15,000.00) 24,300.00 68,346.00
Tax Expense
Net Income ($50,000.00) ($15,000.00) $24,300.00 $68,346.00
 Example 6: Create lookup_table in formula itself
"hard code table into formula": 1) enclose the table
in curly brackets { }; 2) column elements are
separated by commas ,; 3) row elements are
separated by semicolons ;. Use RANDBETWEEN to
generate random integers (in 2003 you have to go
to Tools menu, Add-ins, then check Analysis
6 ToolPak".)
1 Suix
2 Fred
3 Chin
4 Sheliadawn

Find Name Randomly

Find Name Randomly

okup table.
return to the cell, Exact

p_value, it stops and uses

umn of the lookup table

rwise it races down the
hen it goes to the column
rmula.
p cell helps the accuracy

}; 2) column elements are

s ;.
, Use IF function or IFERROR function to

mber 31

2007 2008
$658,845.00 $724,729.50
541,216.08 552,040.40
117,628.92 172,689.10

$117,628.92 $172,689.10

Tax Tables 2004

If Taxable Income Is:
VLOOKUP Tax Amount From
Reference Over - But Not Over Previous Bracket

0 $ 0 $ 50,000
50,001 50,000 75,000 7,500
75,001 75,000 100,000 13,750
100,001 100,000 335,000 22,250
335,001 335,000 10,000,000 113,900
10,000,001 10,000,000 15,000,000 3,400,000
 15,000,001 15,000,000 18,333,333 5,150,000
18,333,334 18,333,333 6,416,667

Assumptions
Increase In Sales 10%
Increase in Expenses 2%
Tax Rate For
Remaining Amount

15%
25%
34%
39%
34%
35%
38%
35%
1) HLOOKUP is the same as VLOOKUP except the H means Horizontal

2) Most tables are vertical, not horizontal, so using HLOOKUP is rare.

Product 1 Product 2 Product 3 Product 4 Product 5 Product Product 2

$ 20.00 $ 25.00 $ 15.00 $ 15.00 $ 16.00 Price
 Although LOOKUP was one of the first functions in a spreadsheet, the
VLOOKUP can do almost everything that the LOOKUP does and more. The one
thing that the LOOKUP can do that the VLOOKUP (or HLOOKUP) can't do is
retrieve a value to the left or above a lookup_value column or row; it can also
have a column and a row area. LOOKUP function must have the lookup_vector
sorted in ascending order. LOOKUP looks up the greatest value that does not
1) exceed a specified value anywhere in a table or range.
2)

Product Price Description

Boom01 $15.00 Flying Range is 10
Boom08 $110.00 Flying Range is 110
Boom09 $165.00 Flying Range is 160
Boom02 $30.00 Flying Range is 20
Boom03 $40.00 Flying Range is 50
Boom04 $45.00 Flying Range is 60
Boom05 $65.00 Flying Range is 70
Boom06 $69.00 Flying Range is 80
Boom07 $100.00 Flying Range is 85

Description Product
Flying Range is 60
 The MATCH function looks up a value and tells you what relative position it
1) is in the list.

If match_type is 1, MATCH finds the largest value that is less than or equal
to lookup_value. Lookup_array must be placed in ascending order: ...-2, -1,
2) 0, 1, 2, ..., A-Z, FALSE, TRUE.
If match_type is 0, MATCH finds the first value that is exactly equal to
3) lookup_value. Lookup_array can be in any order.

If match_type is -1, MATCH finds the smallest value that is greater than or
equal to lookup_value. Lookup_array must be placed in descending order:
4) TRUE, FALSE, Z-A, ...2, 1, 0, -1, -2, ..., and so on.
5) If match_type is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.

Allowances
0 1 2 3 4 5
0 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00
100 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00
200 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
Income

300 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00

400 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00
500 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00
600 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00
700 $13.00 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00

Relative Position
in list
Income 250
Allowances 2
 INDEX has 2 different uses: 1) look up a value that is at the
intersection of a row and column, or 2) look up a specific table
and then within that specific table look up a value that is at the
1) intersection of a row and column.

Good when you have more than one table to look values up in.
(non-contiguous ranges must be in parenthesis and stored all on
the same worksheet). You can also have a table with intersection
lookup values where INDEX and MATCH can be used together to
look up labels and return intersection of two labels. Also can be
used as a replacement for VLOOKUP when the data you want to
2) retrieve is to the left of the lookup column.
Example 1: Look up a value that is at the intersection of a row
3) and column.

Example 2: Look up a specific table and then within that specific

table look up a value that is at the intersection of a row and
4) column.

1 Allowances
0 1 2 3 4 5
0 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00
100 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00
200 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
Income

300 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00

400 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00
500 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00
600 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00
700 $13.00 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00

Relative
Position
in list Tax
Income 250 3
Allowances 2 3

2 Customer Type 10 Region Shipping Method

Shipping Method - Standard NW Rail
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship West Truck
NW $ 0.125 $ 0.135 $ 1.525 $ 0.225 SW Plane
West $ 0.205 $ 0.145 $ 2.025 $ 0.245 MidWest Ship
SW $ 0.265 $ 0.165 $ 2.125 $ 0.225 East
MidWest $ 0.305 $ 0.185 $ 2.275 $ 0.225
East $ 0.475 $ 0.425 $ 3.525 $ 0.375 Region
West
Customer Type 20 Shipping Method
 Shipping Method - Preferred Truck
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship Customer Type
NW $ 0.115 $ 0.125 $ 1.375 $ 0.205 Customer Type 20
West $ 0.185 $ 0.135 $ 1.825 $ 0.215 Shipping per Unit
SW $ 0.245 $ 0.155 $ 1.915 $ 0.205
MidWest $ 0.275 $ 0.165 $ 2.055 $ 0.205
East $ 0.435 $ 0.385 $ 3.175 $ 0.345

Customer Type 30
Shipping Method - Most Preferred
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship
NW $ 0.105 $ 0.115 $ 1.245 $ 0.175
West $ 0.175 $ 0.125 $ 1.645 $ 0.165
SW $ 0.215 $ 0.135 $ 1.725 $ 0.185
MidWest $ 0.255 $ 0.155 $ 1.845 $ 0.185
East $ 0.385 $ 0.345 $ 2.865 $ 0.305
Customer Type
Customer Type 10
Customer Type 20
Customer Type 30
 INDEX has 2 different uses: 1) look up a value that is at the intersection of a
row and column, or 2) look up a specific table and then within that specific
1) table look up a value that is at the intersection of a row and column.
The MATCH function looks up a value and tells you what relative position it
2) is in the list.

Good when you have more than one table to look values up in. (non-
contiguous ranges must be in parenthesis and stored all on the same
worksheet). You can also have a table with intersection lookup values where
INDEX and MATCH can be used together to look up labels and return
intersection of two labels. Also can be used as a replacement for VLOOKUP
3) when the data you want to retrieve is to the left of the lookup column.

Example 1: INDEX and MATCH can be used together to look up labels and return
1 intersection of two labels
Allowances
0 1 2 3 4 5
0 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00 $1.00
100 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00 $2.00
200 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00 $3.00
Income

300 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00 $4.00

400 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 $5.00
500 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 $6.00
600 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 $7.00
700 $13.00 $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 $8.00

Tax
Income 250
Allowances 2

Example 2: Use INDEX as a substitute for VLOOKUP when the value you
2 want to return is to the left of the lookup column.
Product Price Description
Boom01 $15.00 Flying Range is 10
Boom02 $30.00 Flying Range is 20
Boom03 $40.00 Flying Range is 50
Boom04 $45.00 Flying Range is 60
Boom05 $65.00 Flying Range is 70
Boom06 $69.00 Flying Range is 80
Boom07 $100.00 Flying Range is 85
Boom08 $110.00 Flying Range is 110
Boom09 $165.00 Flying Range is 160

Description Product
 Flying Range is 60

Example 3: Use INDEX and MATCH for looking up a specific table and then within that specific table looking up a value th
3 and column.
Customer Type 10 Region
Shipping Method - Standard NW
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship West
NW $ 0.125 $ 0.135 $ 1.525 $ 0.225 SW
West $ 0.205 $ 0.145 $ 2.025 $ 0.245 MidWest
SW $ 0.265 $ 0.165 $ 2.125 $ 0.225 East
MidWest $ 0.305 $ 0.185 $ 2.275 $ 0.225
East $ 0.475 $ 0.425 $ 3.525 $ 0.375

Customer Type 20
Shipping Method - Preferred
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship
NW $ 0.115 $ 0.125 $ 1.375 $ 0.205
West $ 0.185 $ 0.135 $ 1.825 $ 0.215
SW $ 0.245 $ 0.155 $ 1.915 $ 0.205
MidWest $ 0.275 $ 0.165 $ 2.055 $ 0.205
East $ 0.435 $ 0.385 $ 3.175 $ 0.345

Customer Type 30
Shipping Method - Most Preferred
Region Rail Truck Plane Ship
NW $ 0.105 $ 0.115 $ 1.245 $ 0.175
West $ 0.175 $ 0.125 $ 1.645 $ 0.165
SW $ 0.215 $ 0.135 $ 1.725 $ 0.185
MidWest $ 0.255 $ 0.155 $ 1.845 $ 0.185
East $ 0.385 $ 0.345 $ 2.865 $ 0.305
pecific table looking up a value that is at the intersection of a row

Shipping Method Customer Type

Rail Customer Type 10
Truck Customer Type 20
Plane Customer Type 30
Ship

Region
West
Shipping Method
Truck
Customer Type
Customer Type 20
Shipping per Unit
1) CHOOSE can return a value or a range from a list of 1 to 254 arguments.
2)

Select Garbage Duty for Week

Select Garbage Duty for Week Fred
1) Ctrl + Shift + F3 "Create Names From Selection"
2) A space is the intersector operator
3)
4)
5)

Dept01 Dept02 Dept03 Dept04 Dept05

Jan $4,948 $3,730 $2,875 $1,832 $735
Feb $5,626 $4,601 $3,975 $2,940 $1,980
Mar $6,817 $5,568 $4,580 $3,653 $2,518
Apr $7,618 $6,602 $5,656 $4,944 $3,778
May $8,610 $7,946 $6,986 $5,697 $4,713
Jun $9,924 $8,650 $7,836 $6,733 $5,854
Jul $10,691 $9,535 $8,978 $7,754 $6,879
Aug $11,656 $10,814 $9,584 $8,577 $7,855
Sep $12,842 $11,504 $10,938 $9,959 $8,728
Oct $13,691 $12,896 $11,707 $10,883 $9,977
Nov $14,663 $13,668 $12,793 $11,780 $10,616
Dec $15,837 $14,769 $13,987 $12,569 $11,802

Type Intersection in:

Apr
Dept04