How to Match Data in Two Excel Sheets Using VLOOKUP
Excel is a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing data, and one of its most useful functions is VLOOKUP. VLOOKUP allows users to search for a value in one column of a table and return a value in a specified column from the same row. This function is particularly useful when you need to match data in two different Excel sheets. In this article, we will guide you through the process of using VLOOKUP to match data in two Excel sheets.
First, let’s understand the basic syntax of the VLOOKUP function. The syntax is as follows:
“`
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
“`
– `lookup_value`: The value you want to search for in the first column of the table.
– `table_array`: The range of cells containing the data you want to search.
– `col_index_num`: The column number in the table from which you want to retrieve the value.
– `[range_lookup]`: An optional argument that specifies whether you want an exact match or an approximate match. Use TRUE for an approximate match or FALSE for an exact match.
To match data in two Excel sheets using VLOOKUP, follow these steps:
1. Open the first Excel sheet and select the range of cells containing the data you want to search. This will be the lookup value.
2. Open the second Excel sheet and select the range of cells containing the data you want to match against the lookup value. This will be the table array.
3. In the first Excel sheet, enter the VLOOKUP formula in a cell where you want the matched data to appear. Use the following formula as a starting point:
“`
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
“`
4. Replace `lookup_value` with the cell reference or value you want to search for.
5. Replace `table_array` with the range of cells containing the data you want to match against the lookup value.
6. Replace `col_index_num` with the column number in the table array from which you want to retrieve the value.
7. If you want an exact match, enter FALSE in the `[range_lookup]` argument. If you want an approximate match, enter TRUE.
8. Press Enter, and Excel will return the matched value from the second Excel sheet.
Remember that VLOOKUP only searches for values in the first column of the table array. If you need to match data across multiple columns, you may need to use other functions like INDEX and MATCH or XLOOKUP (in Excel 365 and Excel 2019).
In conclusion, using VLOOKUP to match data in two Excel sheets is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily find and retrieve matched data between two tables. Happy matching!
