by The tutorial explains the vector and array forms of the Excel LOOKUP function and demonstrates typical and non-trivial uses of LOOKUP in Excel with formula examples.
One of the most frequent questions that every Excel user asks once in a while is this: "How do I look up a value on one sheet and pull a matching value to another sheet?". Of course, there can be many variations of the basic scenario: you may be looking for the closest match rather than exact match, you may want to search vertically in a column or horizontally in a row, evaluate one or multiple criteria, etc. However, the essence is the same - you need to know how to look up in Excel.
Microsoft Excel provides a handful of different ways to do lookup. To begin with, let's learn a function that is designed to handle the simplest cases of vertical and horizontal lookup. As you can easily guess, I am talking about the LOOKUP function.
Excel LOOKUP function - syntax and uses
At the most basic level, the LOOKUP function in Excel searches a value in one column or row and returns a matching value from the same position in another column or row.
There are two forms of LOOKUP in Excel: Vector and Array. Each form is explained individually below.
Excel LOOKUP function - vector form
In this context, a vector refers to a one-column or one-row range. Consequently, you use the vector form of LOOKUP to search one row or one column of data for a specified value, and pull a value from the same position in another row or column.
The syntax of the vector Lookup is as follows:
Where:
- Lookup_value (required) - a value to search for. It can be a number, text, logical value of TRUE or FALSE, or a reference to a cell containing the lookup value.
- Lookup_vector (required) - one-row or one-column range to be searched. It must be sorted in ascending order.
- Result_vector (optional) - one-row or one-column range from which you want to return the result - a value in the same position as the lookup value. Result_vector must be the same size as lookup_range. If omitted, the result is returned from lookup_vector.
The following examples demonstrate two simple Lookup formulas in action.
Vertical Lookup formula - search in one-column range
Let's say, you have a list of sellers in column D (D2:D5) and the products they sold in column E (E2:E5). You are creating a dashboard where your users will enter the seller's name in B2 and you need a formula that would pull a corresponding product in B3. The task can be easily accomplished with this formula:
=LOOKUP(B2,D2:D5,E2:E5)
To better understand the arguments, please have a look at this screenshot:
Horizontal Lookup formula - search in one-row range
If your source data has a horizontal layout, i.e. the entries reside in rows rather than columns, then supply a one-row range in the lookup_vector and result_vector arguments, like this:
=LOOKUP(B2,E1:H1,E2:H2)
In the second part of this tutorial, you will find a few more Excel Lookup examples that solve more complex tasks. In the meantime, please remember the following simple facts that will help you bypass possible pitfalls and prevent common errors.
5 things you should know about vector form of Excel LOOKUP
- Values in lookup_vector should be sorted in ascending order, i.e. from smallest to largest or from A to Z, otherwise your Excel Lookup formula may return an error or incorrect result. If you need to do lookup on unsorted data, then use either INDEX MATCH or OFFSET MATCH.
- Lookup_vector and result_vector must be a one-row or one-column range of the same size.
- The LOOKUP function in Excel is case-insensitive, it does not differentiate uppercase and lowercase text.
- Excel LOOKUP works based on approximate match. More precisely, a Lookup formula searches for exact match first. If it cannot find the lookup value exactly, it looks up the next smallest value, i.e. the largest value in lookup_vector that is less than or equal to lookup_value.
For example, if your lookup value is "5", the formula will search it first. If "5" is not found, it will search "4". If "4" is not found, it will search "3", and so on.
- If lookup_value is smaller than the smallest value in lookup_vector, Excel LOOKUP returns the #N/A error.
Excel LOOKUP function - array form
The array form of the LOOKUP function searches the specified value in the first column or row of the array and retrieves a value from the same position in the last column or row of the array.
The array Lookup has 2 arguments, both of which are required:
Where:
- Lookup_value - a value to search for in an array.
- Array - a range of cells where you want to search for the lookup value. The values in the first column or row of the array (depending on whether you do V-lookup or H-lookup) must be sorted in ascending order. Uppercase and lowercase characters are deemed equivalent.
For example, with the seller names located in the first column of the array (column A) and order dates in the last column of the array (column C), you can use the following formula to search the name and pull the matching date:
=LOOKUP(B2,D2:F5)
Note. The array form of the Excel LOOKUP function should not be confused with Excel array formulas. Although it operates on arrays, LOOKUP is still a regular formula, which is completed in the usual way by pressing the Enter key.
4 things you should know about array form of Excel LOOKUP
- If array has more rows than columns or the same number of columns and rows, a Lookup formula searches in the first column (horizontal lookup).
- If array has more columns than rows, Excel LOOKUP searches in the first row (vertical lookup).
- If a formula can't find the lookup value, it uses the largest value in the array that is less than or equal to lookup_value.
- If the lookup value is smaller than the smallest value in the first column or row of the array (depending on the array dimensions), a Lookup formula returns the #N/A error.
Important note! The functionality of the Excel LOOKUP array form is limited and we don't recommend using it. Instead, you can use the VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP function, which are the improved versions to do vertical and horizontal lookup, respectively.
How to use LOOKUP function in Excel - formula examples
Although there exist more powerful functions to look up and match in Excel (which is the subject of our next tutorial), LOOKUP comes in handy in many situations, and the following examples demonstrate a couple of non-trivial uses. Please note, all of the below formulas use the vector form of Excel LOOKUP.
Look up a value in the last non-blank cell in a column
If you have a column of dynamically populated data, you may want to pick the most recently added entry, i.e. get the last non-empty cell in a column. For this, use this generic formula:
In the above formula, all arguments except for the column reference are constants. So, to retrieve the last value in a specific column, you just need to supply the corresponding column reference. For example, to extract the value of the last non-blank cell in column A, use this formula:
=LOOKUP(2, 1/(A:A<>""), A:A)
To get the last value from other columns, modify the column references like shown in the screenshot below - first reference is the column to be checked for blank/non-blank cells, and the second reference is the column to return the value from:
How this formula works
In the lookup_value argument, you supply 2 or any other number greater than 1 (in a moment, you will understand why).
In the lookup_vector argument, you put this expression: 1/(A:A<>"")
- First, you perform the logical operation A:A<>"" that compares each cell in column A with an empty string and returns TRUE for non-empty cells and FALSE for empty cells. In the above example, the formula in F2 returns this array: {TRUE;TRUE;TRUE;TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;...}
- Then, you divide the number 1 by each element of the above array. With TRUE equating to 1 and FALSE equating to 0, you get a new array consisting of 1's and #DIV/0! errors (the result of dividing by 0), and this array is used as lookup_vector. In this example, it's {1;1;1;1;1;#DIV/0!;...}
Now, how it comes that the formula returns the last non-empty value in a column, given that lookup_value does not match any element of lookup_vector? The key to understanding the logic is that Excel LOOKUP searches with approximate match, i.e. when the exact lookup value is not found, it matches the next biggest value in lookup_vector that is smaller than lookup_value. In our case, lookup_value is 2 and the largest value in lookup_vector is 1, so LOOKUP matches the last 1 in the array, which is the last non-empty cell.
In the result_vector argument, you reference the column from which you want to return a value, and your Lookup formula will fetch the value in the same position as the lookup value.
Tip. If you wish to get the number of the row holding the last value, then use the ROW function to retrieve it. For example: =LOOKUP(2,1/(A:A<>""),ROW(A:A))
Look up a value in the last non-blank cell in a row
If your source data is laid out in rows rather than columns, you can get the value of the last non-empty cell using this formula:
In fact, this formula is nothing else but a slight modification of the previous formula, with the only difference that you use the row reference instead of the column reference.
For example, to get the value of the last non-empty cell in row 1, use this formula:
=LOOKUP(2, 1/(1:1<>""), 1:1)
The following screenshot shows the result:
Get a value associated with the last entry in a row
With just a little creativity, the above formula can easily be customized for solving other similar tasks. For instance, it can be used to get a value associated with the last instance of a specific value in a row. This may sound a bit obscure, but the following example will make things easier to understand.
Assuming you have a summary table where column A contains the seller names and subsequent columns contain data of some kind for each month. In this example, a cell contain "yes" if a given seller has closed at least one deal in a given month. Our goal is to get a month associated with the last "yes" entry in a row.
The task can be solved by using the following LOOKUP formula:
=LOOKUP(2, 1/(B2:H2="yes"), $B$1:$H$1)
The formula's logic is basically the same as described in the first example. The difference is that you use the "equal to" operator ("=") instead of "not equal to" ("<>") and operate on rows instead of columns.
The following screenshot demonstrates a result:
Lookup as alternative to nested IFs
In all of the Lookup formulas we've discussed so far, the lookup_vector and result_vector arguments were represented by range references. However, the syntax of the Excel LOOKUP function allows supplying the vectors in the form of a vertical array constant, which enables you to replicate the functionality of nested IF with a more compact and easy-to-read formula.
Let's say, you have a list of abbreviations in column A and you want to replace them with full names, where "C" stands for "Completed", "D" is "Development, and "T" is "Testing". The task can be accomplished with the following nested IF function:
=IF(A2="c", "Completed", IF(A2="d", "Development", IF(A2="t", "Testing", "")))
Or, by using this Lookup formula:
=LOOKUP(A2, {"c";"d";"t"}, {"Completed";"Development";"Testing"})
As shown in the screenshot below, both formulas yield identical results:
Note. For an Excel Lookup formula to work correctly, the values in lookup_array should be sorted from A to Z or from smallest to largest.
If you are pulling values from a lookup table, then you can embed a Vlookup function in the lookup_value argument to retrieve a match.
Assuming the lookup value is in cell E2, the lookup table is A2:C7, and the column of interest ("Status") is the 3rd column in the lookup table, the following formula does the job:
=LOOKUP(VLOOKUP(E2, $A$2:$C$7, 3, FALSE), {"c";"d";"t"}, {"Completed";"Development";"Testing"})
As demonstrated in the screenshot below, the formula retrieves the project status from the lookup table and replaces an abbreviation with the corresponding word:
Tip. In Excel 365, you can use the SWITCH function for similar purposes.
I hope these examples have shed some light on how the LOOKUP function works. In the next tutorial, we will discuss a few other ways to do lookup in Excel and explain which Lookup formula is best to be used in which situation. I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!
Practice workbook for download
Excel Lookup examples (.xlsm file)
90 comments
hello,
i want to know if we use lookup function to find value. but that value is not in searched place so it is not appear as falls or null like
Hello!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please specify what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.
It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
I want a formula for Balance stock Amount in FIFO after sales value reduction in FIFO. The situation is: 1 Item Purchase in 10 pcs @ $100/Pcs, and sold 2 pcs at @$110/pcs. Now I have Balance stock of 8 Pcs @ $100/pcs. Meanwhile I Purchased additional 10 same item @ $200. Now I have Total 18 Pcs ( 8 pcs of $100/pcs & 10 Pcs of $200/pcs). Now I want the Closing Total stock Balance Amount $2800 by formula after auto deduction of sales amount by FIFO. I want the sales value should be calculated in FIFO form, First 10 items auto calculated by $100 then after 10th item the next item by $200/pcs and so on. How I can achieve this situations.
Thanks for this! The simple fix of making sure my 'Lookup' data was in ascending order did the trick!
I have a LOOKUP formula that works perfectly for my needs but is not dynamic:
=LOOKUP(2,1/($F$2:$F$21=F2),$I$2:$I$21)
Basically it finds the last occurrence of an item in column F of my table named AllData. It then sets the value of another column to the value found column I of my table.
Works great except the lookup vector and the result vector do not expand with the table.
How can I make this dynamic?
Hi Svetlana,
First of all thanks for the easy explanation, I'm not a professional in excel and I has to deal with a sheet with alot of equations and one of them is
=lookups!$N$19
Which I can't understand so could you please explain.
Thanks again
Hi Ahmed,
That formula just pulls a value from another sheet (cell N19 in the sheet named "lookups").
This is called an "external reference" and you can find full details in this tutorial: How to create external reference in Excel.
I have been unsuccessful with LOOKUP and IF sequence was too long.
I have a table of texts, no values.
Table contains Keywords to look for partial match and return Cause.
Keywords Cause
Arrival ARRIVAL/MISSORT
COMM COMM - Research
STAT[13] STAT13 - Research
STAT[44] STAT44 - Research
NAK NAK/OUTBOUND
PUX[95] PUX95 - Retrieval/Unclaimed
SIP SIP/NVAN
blank DUPLICATE
column C13 range contains the following and want Cause in column E13 range/selection
Arrival@11/27 03:04
COMM@11/27 16:48
NAK@11/21 19:48
PUX[95]@11/27 15:37
SIPS@11/25 04:09
STAT[44]@11/25 05:45
Thank you for your time and help
Dear sir/Mr
vlookup all formula send to my email please
In my company there are 3 shifts namely, A, B & C with timings 6:30 to 14:30; 14:30 to 22:30 & 22:30 to 6:30 (next day). While making a work report, timing inputs given by the my supervisors leads to confusion. For example, sometimes a supervisor puts timing 1:30(12 hours format) in A shift, whereas it has to be 13:30 (24 hours format). How to avoid such mistakes?
Dear Reader, please help me i have on sheet Sheet1 and such data on sheet-like (A1=ram,A2=ram,A3=ram,A4=geeta,A5=geeta and A6=Geeta and same second column B1=blank,B2=blank,B3=value,B4=blank,B5=blank,B6=value.
I want to apply the formula of vlookup where I want data based on ram & Geeta but vlookup fatch only first-row value of B1 & B4 which is blank but I need to prepare formula where vlookup pic only value row where B3 & B6.
There is two column A and b.
in a column 3 name repeated A1-Ram, A-2-ram and A-3-ram but column-B1- blank,B2 -blank and B3 is 5 i want last data by vlookup .
DEAR MAM I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT WORK SHEET I WANT TO APPLY LOOKUP VALUE BASED ON ID FROM ONE SHEET TO ANOTHER ON THE BASIS I WANT TO FOUND THAT BASED ON ID QUANTITY ARE BOTH SHEET IS SAME OR DIFFERENT
I want to get the information on the right side columns from another file which is updated already.
Hi, im looking to add to my worksheet a drop down filter for example when i speak to customers and they want a specific item for example a car i want it to be able to hightlight the best fit for them ie price range, doors and so on so we can see if we have one in stock. is this possible.
Hi Svetlana (and Ablebits team),
no questions here, just a big thank you!
Especially the part "Get a value associated with the last entry in a row" combined with the TIP to get the row number =LOOKUP(2,1/(A:A""),ROW(A:A)) was something I was unable to understand elsewhere ...although it actually worked also without me understanding why :)
Hiii friend so v look up to use in computer
Hi hope all are doing well
I have some values distributed in a array from A1:AZ1230, I have an another sheet which has single column (A:A) & has all the values from A1:AW1230. I want to extract the relative value from AZ:AZ to B:B. is it possible? I have checked by lookup function but not succeed as lookup function is checking value in one column or row only. but here lookup value is distributed in many columns.
Thanks
Good day!
Can I use LOOKUP to get the 1st occurrence of a specific value?
Expected Output
Code Code UT UT
Code Start Code End UT Start UT End 1-Aug 2-Aug 3-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug 6-Aug 7-Aug 8-Aug 9-Aug 10-Aug
Object 1 3-Aug 7-Aug 8-Aug 10-Aug Code Code Code Code UT UT UT
Object 2 1-Aug 5-Aug 6-Aug 9-Aug Code Code Code UT UT UT
Good day!
I want to use the formula =LOOKUP(2,1/(A:A""),ROW(A:A)) but it doesn't function with cells that have formula on it. What other formula should I use?
hello friends pls help me with formula for below calculation..
i have text in different column and i want last text value with criteria..
for eg..text value in column...
1-wrongnum,switchoff,callback,nc,contacted
2-wrongnum,switchoff,contacted,nc,callback
i want last text value in column where text is contacted -callback
Hi,
i don't understand the use of Look_up Value, which you have filled as 2. Can it be any number or it has to be 2 only.
Hi Ashish,
You are talking about the example that searches for a value in the last non-blank cell, right? If so, please read the "How this formula works" section carefully. It explains why we use a look_up value of 2.