by The tutorial shows how to combine VLOOKUP and IF function together to v-lookup with if condition in Excel. You will also learn how to use IF ISNA VLOOKUP formulas to replace #N/A errors with your own text, zero or blank cell.
Whilst the VLOOKUP and IF functions are useful on their own, together they deliver even more valuable experiences. This tutorial implies that you remember the syntax of the two functions well, otherwise you may want to brush up on your knowledge by following the above links.
Vlookup with If statement: return True/False, Yes/No, etc.
One of the most common scenarios when you combine If and Vlookup together is to compare the value returned by Vlookup with a sample value and return Yes / No or True / False as the result.
In most cases, the following generic formula would work nicely:
Translated in plain English, the formula instructs Excel to return True if Vlookup is true (i.e. equal to the specified value). If Vlookup is false (not equal to the specified value), the formula returns False.
Below you will a find a few real-life uses of this IF Vlookup formula.
Example 1. Look up a specific value
Let's say, you have a list of items in column A and quantity in column B. You are creating a dashboard for your users and need a formula that would check the quantity for an item in E1 and inform the user whether the item is in stock or sold out.
You pull the quantity with a regular Vlookup with exact match formula like this:
=VLOOKUP(E1,$A$2:$B$10,2,FALSE)
Then, write an IF statement that compares Vlookup's result with zero, and returns "No" if it is equal to 0, "Yes" otherwise:
=IF(VLOOKUP(E1,$A$2:$B$10,2,FALSE)=0,"No","Yes")
Instead of Yes/No, you can return TRUE/FALSE or In Stock/Sold out or any other two choices. For example:
=IF(VLOOKUP(E1,$A$2:$B$10,2)=0,"Sold out","In stock")
You can also compare the value returned by Vlookup with sample text. In this case, be sure to enclose a text string in quotation marks, like this:
=IF(VLOOKUP(E1,$A$2:$B$10,2)="sample text",TRUE,FALSE)
Example 2. Compare Vlookup result with another cell
Another typical example of Vlookup with If condition in Excel is comparing the Vlookup output with a value in another cell. For example, we can check if it's greater than or equal to a number in cell G2:
=IF(VLOOKUP(E1,$A$2:$B$10,2)>=G2,"Yes!","No")
And here is our If formula with Vlookup in action:
In a similar fashion, you can use any other logical operator together with a cell reference in your Excel If Vlookup formula.
Example 3. Vlookup values in a shorter list
To compare each cell in the target column with another list and return True or Yes if a match is found, False or No otherwise, use this generic IF ISNA VLOOKUP formula:
If Vlookup results in the #N/A error, the formula returns "No", meaning the lookup value is not found in the lookup list. If the match is found, "Yes" is returned. For example:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A2,$D$2:$D$4,1,FALSE)),"No","Yes")
If your business logic requires the opposite results, simply swap "Yes" and "No" to reverse the formula's logic:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A2,$D$2:$D$4,1,FALSE)),"Yes","No")
Excel If Vlookup formula to perform different calculations
Besides displaying your own text messages, If function with Vlookup can perform different calculations based on the criteria you specify.
Taking our example further, let's calculate the commission of a specific seller (F1) depending on their effectiveness: 20% commission for those who made $200 and more, 10% for everyone else.
For this, you check if the value returned by Vlookup is greater than or equal to 200, and if it is, multiply it by 20%, otherwise by 10%:
=IF(VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE )>=200, VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)*20%, VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)*10%)
Where A2:A10 are seller names and C2:C10 are sales.
IF ISNA VLOOKUP to hide #N/A errors
If the VLOOKUP function cannot find a specified value, it throws an #N/A error. To catch that error and replace it with your own text, embed a Vlookup formula in the logical test of the IF function, like this:
Naturally, you can type any text you like instead of "Not found".
Supposing, you have a list of seller names in one column and sales amounts in another column. Your task is to pull a number corresponding to the name the user enters in F1. If the name is not found, display a message indicating so.
With the names in A2:A10 and amounts C2:C10, the task can be fulfilled with the following If Vlookup formula:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)), "Not found", VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE))
If the name is found, a corresponding sales amount is returned:
If the lookup value is not found, the Not found message appears instead of the #N/A error:
How this formula works
The formula's logic is very simple: you use the ISNA function to check Vlookup for #N/A errors. If an error occurs, ISNA returns TRUE, otherwise FALSE. The above values go to the logical test of the IF function, which does one of the following:
- If the logical test is TRUE (#N/A error), your message is displayed.
- If the logical test is FALSE (lookup value is found), Vlookup returns a match normally.
IFNA VLOOKUP in newer Excel versions
Beginning with Excel 2013, you can use the IFNA function instead of IF ISNA to catch and handle #N/A errors:
In our example, the formula would take the following shape:
=IFNA(VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3, FALSE), "Not found")
Tip. If you'd like to trap all sorts of errors, not only #N/A, use VLOOKUP in combination with the IFERROR function. More details can be found here: IFERROR VLOOKUP in Excel.
Excel Vlookup: if not found return 0
When working with numerical values, you may want to return a zero when the lookup value is not found. To have it done, use the IF ISNA VLOOKUP formula discussed above with a little modification: instead of a text message, supply 0 in the value_if_true argument of the IF function:
In our sample table, the formula would go as follows:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(F2,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)), 0, VLOOKUP(F2,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE))
In the recent versions of Excel 2016 and 2013, you can use the IFNA Vlookup combination again:
=IFNA(VLOOKUP(I2,$A$2:$C$10,3, FALSE), 0)
Excel Vlookup: if not found return blank cell
This is one more variation of the "Vlookup if then" statement: return nothing when the lookup value is not found. To do this, instruct your formula to return an empty string ("") instead of the #N/A error:
Below are a couple of complete formula examples:
For all Excel versions:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(F2,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)), "", VLOOKUP(F2,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE))
For Excel 2016 and Excel 2013:
=IFNA(VLOOKUP(F2,$A$2:$C$10,3, FALSE), "")
If with Index Match - left vlookup with If condition
Experienced Excel users know that the VLOOKUP function is not the only way to do vertical lookup in Excel. The INDEX MATCH combination can also be used for this purpose and it's even more powerful and versatile. The good news is that Index Match can work together with IF in exactly the same way as Vlookup.
For example, you have order numbers in column A and seller names in column B. You are looking for a formula to pull the order number for a specific seller.
Vlookup cannot be used in this case because it cannot search from right to left. Index Match will work without a hitch as long as the lookup value is found in the lookup column. If not, a #N/A error will show up. To replace the standard error notation with your own text, nest Index Match inside IF ISNA:
=IF(ISNA(INDEX(A2:A10, MATCH(F1, $B$2:$B$10, 0))), "Not found", INDEX(A2:A10, MATCH(F1, $B$2:$B$10, 0)))
In Excel 2016 and 2016, you can use IFNA instead of IF ISNA to make the formula more compact:
=IFNA(INDEX(A2:A10, MATCH(F1, $B$2:$B$10, 0)), "Not found")
In a similar manner, you can use Index Match in other If formulas.
This is how you use Vlookup and IF statement together in Excel. To have a closer look at the formulas discussed in this tutorial, you are welcome to download our sample workbook below. I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!
Practice workbook for download
Excel IF Vlookup - formula examples (.xlsx file)
371 comments
Please help!
I have a template that I'm using a vlookup to populate the dollar value for the salary range's minimum, midpoint, and maximum. However, in the lookup table, if the job code doesn't have a salary range, the value appears as "1" for the minimum, midpoint, and maximum.
I'd like the vlookup to return the value shown for the minimum, midpoint, and maximum, unless it equals "1", then I want it to displayed value to show "N/A" in the template.
The following formula is correct, except it's missing the value shown in the lookup table when the value is greater than 1.
=IF(VLOOKUP($F$9,'Active Job Codes List (25)'!$A$2:$Z$4168,14,FALSE)=1,"N/A")
The following formula is correct, except it's missing the "N/A" if the value shown in the lookup table equals 1.
=VLOOKUP($F$9,'Active Job Codes List (25)'!$A$2:$Z$4168,14,FALSE)
Basically, I need to combine these two formulas and none of the options I've tried seem to work.
Thank you!
Hello!
Based on your description, it is hard to completely understand your task. However, I’ll try to guess and offer you the following formula:
=IF(VLOOKUP($F$9,’Active Job Codes List (25)’!$A$2:$Z$4168,14,FALSE)=1,”N/A”, VLOOKUP($F$9,’Active Job Codes List (25)’!$A$2:$Z$4168,14,FALSE))
If this is not what you wanted, please describe the problem in more detail.
I'm trying to do a lookup formula that if true will display "present" but if false, will look in another sheet to find a "present" mark. Is this possible?
So if J Bloggs was absent on Monday's sheet returning "absent", but did attend on Tuesday's sheet, I want the tuesday's sheet mark to return so it is clear to see if anyone hasn't attended that week.
Hello!
Here is the article that may be helpful to you: Excel If Vlookup formula to perform different calculations.
I hope my advice will help you solve your task.
Hello，=IF(HLOOKUP(J17,shopdirection,4,0)="L17","Y","N")，he output is either all yes or all No，why
Hello!
I can't see your data and I don't know what your formula should do. Try removing the quotes.
=IF(HLOOKUP(J17,shopdirection,4,0)=L17,”Y”,”N”)
Hi I am looking to subtract one lookup to the other.
=(vlookup(T11,A7:H155,4,false))-vlookup(T11,M12:R80,5,false)
But if the cell for the second lookup value is empty, i would like it to just display the first value. How to I go about doing that?
Thank you!
Hello!
If the value is not found, use the IFERROR function:
IFERROR(vlookup(T11,M12:R80,5,false),0)
I hope it’ll be helpful.
Hi! I am trying to write a formula that compares names across two different excel sheets. With that being said I wrote a formula that takes the value for a month (say August) and subtracts it from a prior month (July). The three values it can return are -1 , 0 , and 1. I only care when the resulting figure is a 1. Here is the formula I have so far:
=IF('TB VI 2021.09.10'!E10-'TB VI 2021.07.31'!E10=1,1,IF('TB VI 2021.09.10'!E10-'TB VI 2021.07.31'!E10=0,"",IF('TB VI 2021.09.10'!E10-'TB VI 2021.07.31'!E10=-1,"",)))
However, it is important that the formula pulls data from the correct names in August and in July. Sometimes, a name appears in a different cell spot across each month. I need to add something to this formula that takes the value from a specific name in one month (August) and finds that name in another month (July) and performs the subtraction (above formula)
Let me know if this is feasible or I can elaborate any further
Hello!
Please check out this article to learn how to search multiple sheets using VLOOKUP.
I hope my advice will help you solve your task. If something is still unclear, please feel free to ask.
Help me to this problem
1=8
2=22
3=40
4=62
5=86
I WANT THE CODE TO DO THIS
1.5=(value of 2 minus value of 1) "the answer is 14"
14x.5 " decimal point of 1.5"
Answer is 7
7+value of 1
answer is 7+8=15
Hi! These are regular Excel formulas that don't require any functions. See this comment for how to get "decimal point of 1.5".
Hello I need help with a formula
I need to extract details available in one column to a specific format.
Attached please find the format, if anyone can help would be really helpful.
Details I get in a column is:
Roll Number:123456 House Number:789654 Last Name: rfhdfsdf Address: asdasfSFSFLKHKGKLHG
I need a formula to extract it in below format to avoid manual task
Roll Number
House Number:
Address:
Why I am stuck is,
1. the length of roll numbers and house numbers would change from a single digit to double or triple
2. I do not want to extract last name as per the format, hence not able to use mid/left/right formula
Hello!
If I understood the problem correctly, you can extract the last name from the text using the formula:
=MID(REPLACE(A1,1,SEARCH("Last Name:",A1)+11,""),1, SEARCH(" ",REPLACE(A1,1,SEARCH("Last Name:",A1)+11,""))-1)
Thanks for your response Alex.
No, the problem is I get below details in one cell "A2"
Roll Number:123456 House Number:789654 Last Name: rfhdfsdf Address: asdasfSFSFLKHKGKLHG
I have a different excel sheet, wherein I need to extract only Roll Number, House Number & Address from the cell manually, to different different columns of another excel sheet.
Therefore need a formula.
Hi!
I wrote a formula to extract the last name. Replace "Last Name:" with "Address" in the formula and you will get the address.
Great thanks Alex, it was resolved partly by getting the Roll Number and House number & Last name for me.
But for House number Somehow not getting results for address. I tried changing the number from 11 to 7,8 - 13 and so on - considering the same logic by adding the number of character it has.
Just help with this now and it will be resolved completely. Anyways a big thanks, it was such a great help!
Sorry for the long chain of comments.
Sorry read it as not getting results for Address
Rest all sorted
Sorry for Spamming
I was making some idiotic mistake
It has completed resolved
Thanks for offering this platform sir
And really sorry for the long chain. Actually I was really pissed off this manual task and was very overwhelmed when I got to learn about this platform in order to get some insights.
Thank you so much!
Hi Mr. Alexander, thank you so much because of you I learned a lot of things you also helped me before when I struggle searching for the right formula, I am new in Vlookup actually I started learning about it today, Im having trouble with this scenario, I wish to auto populate data in my table but there are so many criteria and range to consider I have column A for terms such as 12 mos,24 mos,36 mos each month have corresponding value for column B standard rate and column C advanced rate(I made it in dropdown list). I wish to autopopulate (column c row 6) the corresponding value when I input the term and whether I choose the standard rate or advance rate
A - B - C
mos - standard rate -advance rate
12 - 1% - 4%
24 - 2% - 5%
36 - 3% -6%
row 5 | mos - 24
row 6| rate - standard rate (in dropdown form) |column C 2%
I was able to do this but the problem is I can only choose to look for the data for standard rate I wish that even if I change from standard to advance it will automatically auto populate
I hope you understand my concern Thank you
Hello!
Write down the formula to find advance rate versus standard rate in column C. Write down the formula to find standard rate versus advance rate in column B. If you write a value in column B or C, you will replace the formula with a value. But the formula in the adjacent column will find the value you want.
I hope my advice will help you solve your task.
Hi,
I am trying to get the below formula to work. I don't know what I am getting wrong over here. Can someone please help with the same.
=IFS(M3="",O3,O3="",R3),IFNA(VLOOKUP(M3,'Sponsor List Ref'!B2:C95,2,0),VLOOKUP(M3,'Sponsor List Ref'!$F$2:$G$6,2,0)))
The formula works well with only IFNA part, but if i add the IFS before, it gives a #Value! error. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi!
The formula you wrote cannot be entered into a cell. Incorrect syntax. I don't know what you want to count. Formula =IFS(M3=””,O3,O3=””,R3) is complete. If you need to add the condition into it -
=IFS(M3=””,O3,O3=””,R3, logical_test3, value_if_true3)
Check out the syntax for the IFS function in this tutorial.
Hello,
Scenario - we have to collect the timestamps for using some badges: the entrance usage (IN) and the exit usage (OUT). One badge can be used multiple times (of course, after it has closed the cycle - exit/OUT).
I have 2 sources where i store the badge ID and a timestamp used: one sheet with the entrance - badge ID, timestamp_IN, the other with the exit - badge ID, timestamp_OUT.
How can i return for the same line the value timestamp_OUT based on the badge ID that was used before (timestamp_IN) ? Trying with VLOOKUP, but it obviously returns the first date. I need to insert a condition that the imestamp_OUT must be > than the timestamp_IN for the current line....
in sheet_IN we have the following records (badge | timestamp_IN )
badge1 | 2021-09-16 08:20:35
badge2 | 2021-09-16 08:25:44
badge3 | 2021-09-16 08:31:10
badge3 | 2021-09-16 09:00:30
badge1 | 2021-09-16 09:08:12
badge2 | 2021-09-16 10:44:03
in sheet_OUT we have the following records (badge | timestamp_OUT )
badge1 | 2021-09-16 08:28:15
badge3 | 2021-09-16 08:58:37
badge1 | 2021-09-16 09:02:40
badge2 | 2021-09-16 10:12:03
badge3 | 2021-09-16 11:07:17
badge2 | 2021-09-16 12:32:53
How to get the proper values from sheet_OUT from each badge so we know the timestamp_IN and timestamp_OUT on the same line (either in the first sheet - sheet_IN or in a new one)?
The result should contains the following records:
badge | timestamp_IN | timestamp_OUT
badge1 | 2021-09-16 08:20:35 | 2021-09-16 08:28:15
badge2 | 2021-09-16 08:25:44 | 2021-09-16 10:12:03
badge3 | 2021-09-16 08:31:10 | 2021-09-16 08:58:37
badge3 | 2021-09-16 09:00:30 | 2021-09-16 11:07:17
badge1 | 2021-09-16 09:08:12 | 2021-09-16 09:02:40
badge2 | 2021-09-16 10:44:03 | 2021-09-16 12:32:53
Thank you all!
I'm trying to create a template spreadsheet that always has VLOOKUP in Column C, going down 10,000 rows. This will check to see if the value in a specific cell in Column A is present in any of Column B, and returns "Yes" or "No" depending on the information. All good there.
Sometimes I don't need all 10,000 rows, sometimes I do, but I don't want to change the template for this VLOOKUP. If I only have 50 rows with data in both Column A and Column B, I want Column C to be blank in every cell below C50 instead of returning a "no" result. This way when I filter Column C to only see the "no" cells it doesn't show all the results below C50 as well.
For Visual:
A B C
1| Hello | Hello | Yes |
2| Hi | Wave | No |
3| 'blank'| Apple |'stays blank' |
Currently I'm stuck on:
=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$B$10000,1,FALSE)),"No","Yes")
Hello!
Use the IF function to get blank if the cell in column A is blank.
=IF(A1<>"",IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$B$10000,1,FALSE)),"No","Yes"),"")
Hope this is what you need.
Right on the money! Thank you for getting me out of that rabbit hole!
Hi I want to do a vlookup of a cell that ends with N with multiple results
Sample:
Apple 13A
Banana 76
Mango 57S
Apple 26N
I want to vlookup apple with the result of 26N because it ends with "N". Please help me
Hello!
You can find the examples and detailed instructions here: How to VLOOKUP multiple values in Excel with one or more criteria.
I hope I answered your question. If something is still unclear, please feel free to ask.
I am not understanding whatever you are saying?
explain in detail.......
Hi Alexander I have a formula I need help with.
=@IF(VLOKUP(@I:I,Format2!C:P,14,0)="Scrunchie","Marketing Merchandise",AE:AE)
Would like to add in Bottle Holder and Mask besides scrunchie , total 3 items to the formula to show Marketing Merchandise as the result.
Hope to hear a reply from u soon !
Thanks!
Hi, I have a billing template, I have 3 areas with the same item # and one of them has a different price. In the tracker, I need a formula that if I use the same code for the different areas, the formula gives me a different price for each area. For example, I have 82 feet of item# LC04 for Tampa with a cost of $5.82 per foot and the same item with the same footage for Lakeland with a cost of $6.59. What formula do I use to calculate the value? I already have the tab for the items and another tab for the billing. Please help??
Hi there,
I would like to use google sheets to do the following production planning. It is a two part plan.
1) I would like to be able to write on the left the following information in cells A1:D7 for example
Brew Date Batch Number FV No. F. Time
07/06/2021 RF130 FV1 20
08/06/2021 RF131 FV2 16
09/06/2021 RF132 FV3 14
10/06/2021 RF133 FV4 16
11/06/2021 RF134 FV5 30
12/06/2021 RF135 FV6 20
I would then like to automatically populate a schedule that has the days running down it and the fermenter number across with the batch number ie
FV1 FV2 FV3 FV4 FV5 FV6 FV7 FV8 FV9
07/06/2021 RF130
08/06/2021
09/06/2021
10/06/2021
11/06/2021
12/06/2021
13/06/2021
my current formula returning RF130 is a simple IF(AND but I have to enter a million IF and statements as I run down the page
=
IF(AND(A2=F4,C2=G3),B2,IF(AND(A3=F4,C3=G3),B3,IF(AND(A4=F4,C4=G3),B4,IF(AND(A5=F4,C5=G3),B5,
IF(AND(A6=F4,C6=G3),B6,IF(AND(A7=F4,C7=G3),B7,IF(AND(A8=F4,C8=G3),B8,""))))))). etc
I would like to migrate to a formula that matches date and FV number and returns the batch number for the specified FV.
2) The second part of the formula will look at the F.Time and populate down the same batch number for that amount of days.
please help!
cheers
G
Hi
I have list of DMAs for which I need to vlookup states (col 2) but pick only which has max vehicle count in (col 3).
what formula would you recommend?
DMA State Vehicle Count
ALBANY MA 2,272
ALBANY NY 26,361
ALBANY VT 830
SANTA FE. AZ 1,033
SANTA FE. CO 1,132
SANTA FE. NM 26,917
Hello!
You can find the examples and detailed instructions here: How to get matches of largest N values.
I hope it’ll be helpful.
If i want to apply vlookup formula and want to make difference two reference column how can I did it.
Hi Alexander,
I am looking for a formula that looks like a combination of Vlookup and IF function.
following is my scenario:
TAB 1 contains data of numbers negatives to positive, i want to reflect that data to TAB 2 with the condition , if value is less than zero like negative no. then return it as Zero "0" and if above zero then return as it is.
Thank you so much,
I think i found it , please disregards my question above, thank you
Excel If Vlookup formula to perform different calculations
Besides displaying your own text messages, If function with Vlookup can perform different calculations based on the criteria you specify.
Taking our example further, let's calculate the commission of a specific seller (F1) depending on their effectiveness: 20% commission for those who made $200 and more, 10% for everyone else.
For this, you check if the value returned by Vlookup is greater than or equal to 200, and if it is, multiply it by 20%, otherwise by 10%:
=IF(VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE )>=200, VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)*20%, VLOOKUP(F1,$A$2:$C$10,3,FALSE)*10%)
This will do, any number multiply zero will equal to zero.
Hello!
Please try the following formula:
=IF(Sheet1!A1>0,Sheet1!A1,0)
You can copy this formula down along the column.
Hope this is what you need.
I am looking up a specific value from two tables I set up, one table has one rate, another has a different rate. I am using IF (VLOOKUP, true), (VLOOKUP2, true), false). How do I make the VLOOKUP2 value work? Thanks!
Hello!
Please specify what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. Include an example of the source data and the result you want to get. It’ll help me understand the problem you faced better and help you.
Thank you Alexander!
Here is the formula I am trying to make work:
Rule: if Column J is in TableFX25 then Column I* (1-0.025), if column J is in TableFX35, ColumnI*(1-0.035) else Column I*(1-0.03).
The fomula: N8*IF(J8 =(VLOOKUP(J8,'FX Calculation.xlsx'!TableFX25,1,FALSE)),(1-0.025),IF(J8=(VLOOKUP(J8,'FX Calculation.xlsx'!TableFX35,1,FALSE)), (1-0.035), (1-0.03)))
Problem: Vlookup for TableFX35 isn't working - the value in column J isn't being recognized in TableFX35.
Is it because the formula?
Appreciate the help. And let me know should you need further clarification.
Hello!
Use the IFERROR function.
Instead
J8 =(VLOOKUP(J8,’FX Calculation.xlsx’!TableFX25,1,FALSE))
write down
J8 =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(J8,’FX Calculation.xlsx’!TableFX25,1,FALSE),"")
You can learn more about IFERROR function in Excel in this article on our blog.
I am comparing two cells (contains nos.) which have Vlookup formula in it by simple IF formula.
My logical test value is true but it is still not showing the desired result and showing the text of false value.
Where I am going wrong?
Hi!
The information you provided is not enough to understand your case and give you any advice. If the numbers are the result of formula calculations, check the decimal places. Perhaps your numbers differ by the third or fourth digit after the decimal point. Use rounding of results in formulas.