#Use vlookup in excel 2016 code#
#Use vlookup in excel 2016 series#

We need to locate the list of all available functions that Excel has to offer, so that we can choose VLOOKUP and get some assistance in completing the formula. So thatвЂ™s where we write the VLOOKUP formula: in cell B11. Where do we want this description put when we get it? In cell B11, of course.

#Use vlookup in excel 2016 code#

To explain further: We are about to create a VLOOKUP formula that will retrieve the description that corresponds to the item code in cell A11. Interestingly, this is the step that most people get wrong. Next, we move the active cell to the cell in which we want information retrieved from the database by VLOOKUP to be stored. In order to test the VLOOKUP formula weвЂ™re about to write, we first enter a valid item code into cell A11 of our blank invoice: So, weвЂ™ve created our product database, which looks like this: It makes little difference to the VLOOKUP function, which doesnвЂ™t really care if the database is located on the same sheet, a different sheet, or a completely different workbook. In reality, itвЂ™s more likely that the product database would be located in a separate workbook. That information will be used to calculate the line total for each item (assuming we enter a valid quantity).ДЇor the purposes of keeping this example simple, we will locate the product database on a separate sheet in the same workbook:

#Use vlookup in excel 2016 series#

This is how itвЂ™s going to work: The person using the invoice template will fill in a series of item codes in column вЂњAвЂќ, and the system will retrieve each itemвЂ™s description and price from our product database. LetвЂ™s create an example of this: An Invoice Template that we can reuse over and over in our fictitious company.ДЇirst we start Excel,В and we create ourselves a blank invoice: Each time someone enters a valid item code, the system would retrieve all the necessary information about the corresponding item. Typically you would use this sort of functionality in a reusable spreadsheet, such as a template. If all you need is one piece of information from the database, it would be a lot of trouble to go to to construct a formula with a VLOOKUP function in it. Which of these pieces of information will it pass you back? Well, you get to decide this when youвЂ™re creating the formula. Thanks to for the sample.In the example above, you would insert theВ VLOOKUP function into another spreadsheet with an item code, and it would return to you either the corresponding itemвЂ™s description, its price, or its availability (its вЂњIn stockвЂќ quantity) as described in your original list. It is a powerful tool that makes life much easier when dealing with larger spreadsheets. There you have it, the anatomy of VLOOKUP in Excel 2016.

Type a search criteria into the box at F2 you created in step 2 and see the return in the box below at F3.

Tell the spreadsheet whether you need an exact match or approximate by adding TRUE or FALSE.

In the example, that is salary so we use column 3.

Tell Excel what value youвЂ™re looking for.

Add the search area of the spreadsheet.

For example, if youвЂ™re sending the result to F2, your lookup should look like: вЂ =VLOOKUP($F$2вЂ™.

Add where you want the data displayed.

Type вЂ =VLOOKUP(вЂ into F3 where you would like your data displayed.

Add a box above it in which to put your search criteria.

Put a box around it or otherwise mark it out so you can see clearly what is returned.

Open your spreadsheet and find somewhere to place the results.

The formula we are going to end up with is вЂ =VLOOKUP($F$2,$A$2:$C$55,3,FALSE)вЂ™