The VLOOKUP function in Excel is used to search for a value in the first column of a table and return a value in the same row from a specified column.

Syntax of VLOOKUP

Parameters

1. lookup_value: The value you want to search for.
2. table_array: The range of cells that contains the data (including the column with the lookup value).
3. col_index_num: The column number (starting from 1) in the table from which to retrieve the value.
4. range_lookup: (Optional) TRUE for an approximate match, or FALSE for an exact match.

Example of VLOOKUP

Imagine you have the following data in cells A1 to C4:

Use Case

You want to find the name of the employee with ID 102.

Formula

In another cell, you would use:

Explanation

• 102 is the lookup_value (the ID you're searching for).
• A2
   
  is the table_array (the range that contains your data).
• 2 is the col_index_num (you want to return the value from the second column, which is the Name).
• FALSE specifies that you want an exact match.

Result

This formula will return Bob, as he is the employee with ID 102.

Notes

• If the lookup_value is not found, VLOOKUP will return an #N/A error.
• VLOOKUP can only search from left to right (the lookup value must be in the first column of the table array).
• For more advanced lookup needs, consider using INDEX and MATCH or XLOOKUP in newer versions of Excel.