How to Use Excel's VLOOKUP Function

1. Learn the syntax for VLOOKUP. It is VLOOKUP(search_value,table_array,column_index_number,range_lookup).
2. Specify search_value as the value to search for in table_array. Search_value may be a reference or a value. VLOOKUP will return the #N/A error value if search_value is smaller than any value in the first column of table_array.
3. Use table_array to provide the data to search. It must represent at least two columns and a reference to a range or range name may be used. The values in the first column may be logical values, numbers or text. The search is not case sensitive.
4. Provide the column_index_number. This is the column number of the value to be returned. For example, a 2 in this field will return the value in the second column. If column_index_number is less than one, VLOOKUP will return #VALUE!. If it is greater than the number of columns in the table being searched, VLOOKUP will return #REF!.
5. Enter a value for range_lookup if needed. This is a logical value that instructs VLOOKUP to perform an approximate or exact search. If range_lookup is TRUE or omitted, an exact match or the largest value less than search_value will be found. If range_lookup if FALSE, only an exact match will be found.