How to Retrieve Data from a Lookup Table in Excel
What formula can be used to retrieve data from a lookup table on the same worksheet in Excel?
A. VLOOKUP
B. HLOOKUP
C. INDEX
D. MATCH
Answer:
The VLOOKUP formula is used to retrieve data from a lookup table on the same worksheet in Excel. It searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value in the same row from a specified column.
The VLOOKUP formula in Excel is a powerful function that allows users to look up a value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column. This is especially useful when dealing with large datasets or when you need to quickly find information without manually searching through rows and columns.
When using the VLOOKUP formula, it is important to understand the syntax and parameters it requires. The formula takes four arguments: lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, and range_lookup. The lookup_value is the value you want to search for in the first column of the table. The table_array is the range of cells that contains the table you want to search. The col_index_num is the column number in the table from which you want to retrieve the data. The range_lookup parameter is optional and determines whether you want an exact match or an approximate match.
For example, if you have a table with student names in column A and their test scores in column B, you can use the VLOOKUP formula to look up a student's name and return their test score. The formula would look like this: =VLOOKUP("John", A1:B10, 2, FALSE). This formula searches for "John" in column A and returns the value from column B in the same row.
Another formula mentioned in the question, the INDEX formula, can also be used to retrieve data from a lookup table. The INDEX formula offers more flexibility and control over the lookup process compared to VLOOKUP. It allows you to specify both the row and column numbers from which to retrieve the data, providing a more dynamic lookup function.
In conclusion, the VLOOKUP formula is a useful tool for retrieving data from a lookup table on the same worksheet in Excel. It simplifies the process of searching for information and returning specific values based on a given criteria.