---
title: "VLOOKUP function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The VLOOKUP function**

Looks for a value in the first column of a table and returns the value from another column in the same row.

=

VLOOKUP(

## **Syntax**

```
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
```

<dl><dt>**lookup_value **</dt>
<dd>The value to find in the first column.</dd>
<dt>**table_array **</dt>
<dd>The table, starting with the column to search.</dd>
<dt>**col_index_num **</dt>
<dd>Which column of the table to return, counting from 1.</dd>
<dt>**range_lookup **(optional)</dt>
<dd>FALSE for an exact match. TRUE or left out finds the closest smaller value in a sorted column.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

D1`=VLOOKUP(<sup>1</sup>"Pear",<sup>2</sup>A2:B4,<sup>3</sup>2,<sup>4</sup>FALSE)`

|  | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Fruit | Price |  | **6** |
| 2 | Apple | 4 |  | |
| 3 | Pear | 6 |  | |
| 4 | Plum | 5 |  | |

**In plain words:** Find <sup>1</sup>Pear in the first column of <sup>2</sup>A2:B4 and return the value <sup>3</sup>in the table's second column, <sup>4</sup>only on an exact match.

D1=VLOOKUP("Kiwi",A2:B4,2,FALSE)

|  | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Fruit | Price |  | **#N/A** |
| 2 | Apple | 4 |  | |
| 3 | Pear | 6 |  | |
| 4 | Plum | 5 |  | |

## **Practice VLOOKUP**

- [**1****Look up a price with VLOOKUP**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/vlookup/vlookup-exact-match)
- [**2****VLOOKUP a number key**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/vlookup/vlookup-number-id)
- [**3****VLOOKUP with an approximate match**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/vlookup/vlookup-approximate-match)
- [**4****Bring prices into an order list**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/vlookup/vlookup-fill-down-locked-table)

## **Read the guide**

- [**Excel for job interviews: what gets tested and how to prepare**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-for-job-interviews)
- [**Free Excel course online: learn Excel from your first formula to job-ready**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/how-to-learn-excel)
- [**VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP vs INDEX MATCH: which lookup to use**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/vlookup-vs-xlookup-vs-index-match)

## **Questions**

<details>

<summary>

### Why does VLOOKUP return #N/A?

</summary>

The value is not in the first column of the table. Check for extra spaces, numbers stored as text, or a missing FALSE at the end.

</details>

<details>

<summary>

### Can VLOOKUP look to the left?

</summary>

No. It only returns columns to the right of the one it searches. Use XLOOKUP or INDEX and MATCH instead.

</details>

## **Related functions**

- [**XLOOKUP**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/xlookup)
- [**INDEX**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/index)
- [**MATCH**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/match)
- [**HLOOKUP**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/hlookup)

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