XLOOKUP function in Excel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the XLOOKUP function do in Excel?

XLOOKUP searches a range or array for a value and returns a matching value from another range or array. It helps find data quickly without sorting.

beginner

What is the basic syntax of the XLOOKUP function?

XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])

beginner

What does the [if_not_found] argument do in XLOOKUP?

It tells Excel what to show if the lookup value is not found. For example, you can show "Not found" instead of an error.

intermediate

How does XLOOKUP differ from VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP can look left or right, works with rows or columns, and does not require the lookup column to be sorted. VLOOKUP only looks right and needs sorted data for approximate matches.

intermediate

What does the [match_mode] argument control in XLOOKUP?

It controls how Excel matches the lookup value: exact match, exact or next smaller, exact or next larger, or wildcard match.

Which argument in XLOOKUP specifies where to find the value you want to return?

A lookup_value

B lookup_array

C if_not_found

D return_array

The return_array is where XLOOKUP looks to get the value to return after finding the lookup_value in the lookup_array.

What will XLOOKUP return if the lookup value is not found and [if_not_found] is not set?

A 0

B An error (#N/A)

C Empty cell

D The lookup value itself

If [if_not_found] is not provided, XLOOKUP returns the #N/A error when it cannot find the lookup value.

Which of these is NOT a valid match_mode option in XLOOKUP?

A Approximate match with sorting

B Exact or next smaller item

C Exact or next larger item

D Exact match

XLOOKUP does not require sorting and does not have an approximate match mode that depends on sorting like VLOOKUP.

Can XLOOKUP search from bottom to top?

A Yes, using search_mode argument

B No, it only searches top to bottom

C Only if data is sorted

D Only with wildcards

XLOOKUP’s search_mode argument lets you choose search direction, including bottom to top.

Which function can replace both VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP?

A INDEX

B MATCH

C XLOOKUP

D LOOKUP

XLOOKUP can look up values in any direction and replace both VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP.

Explain how to use XLOOKUP to find a price for a product in a list.

Think about what you want to find and where to find it.

Describe the advantages of XLOOKUP over VLOOKUP.

Focus on flexibility and error handling.

Practice

1. What does the XLOOKUP function do in Excel?

easy

A. It creates a chart from data.

B. It adds up all numbers in a column.

C. It finds a value in a range and returns a corresponding value from another range.

D. It sorts data alphabetically.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of XLOOKUP

   XLOOKUP searches for a value in one range and returns a matching value from another range.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   The other options describe creating charts, adding up numbers, or sorting data, which are different Excel functions unrelated to XLOOKUP.

3. Final Answer:

   It finds a value in a range and returns a corresponding value from another range. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   XLOOKUP finds and returns matching values [OK]

Hint: XLOOKUP matches a value and returns related data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing XLOOKUP with SUM or SORT functions
• Thinking XLOOKUP creates charts
• Assuming XLOOKUP only works with numbers

2. Which of these is the correct syntax for the XLOOKUP function?

easy

A. XLOOKUP(return_array, lookup_value, lookup_array)

B. XLOOKUP(lookup_value, return_array, lookup_array)

C. XLOOKUP(lookup_array, lookup_value, return_array)

D. XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall XLOOKUP syntax

   The correct order is lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, then optional arguments.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   Only XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]) follows this correct order and includes optional parameters correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Correct syntax order = XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]) [OK]

Hint: Remember: lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping lookup_array and return_array
• Omitting required arguments
• Using wrong argument order

3. Given the table below, what will =XLOOKUP(102, A2:A5, B2:B5, "Not found") return?

ID	Name
101	Alice
102	Bob
103	Charlie
104	Diana

medium

A. Alice

B. Bob

C. Not found

D. Charlie

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify lookup_value and lookup_array

   Lookup value is 102, lookup array is A2:A5 containing IDs 101, 102, 103, 104.

2. Step 2: Find matching value and return corresponding name

   102 matches second row, so return value from B2:B5 second row is 'Bob'.

3. Final Answer:

   Bob -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Lookup 102 returns Bob [OK]

Hint: Match lookup value in first column, return from second [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Returning wrong row's value
• Confusing lookup and return arrays
• Expecting 'Not found' when value exists

4. What is wrong with this formula? =XLOOKUP(105, A2:A5, B2:B5) given the same table as above.

medium

A. It will return an error because 105 is not found and no if_not_found argument is given.

B. The lookup_array and return_array are reversed.

C. The formula syntax is missing parentheses.

D. It will return the last value in B2:B5 by default.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if lookup_value exists in lookup_array

   105 is not in A2:A5 (101-104), so no match found.

2. Step 2: Understand default behavior without if_not_found

   Without the optional if_not_found argument, XLOOKUP returns #N/A error if no match.

3. Final Answer:

   It will return an error because 105 is not found and no if_not_found argument is given. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No match without if_not_found causes error [OK]

Hint: Add if_not_found to avoid errors when no match [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming it returns last value by default
• Thinking syntax is incorrect
• Swapping lookup and return arrays

5. You want to find the price of a product by its code in column A and return the price from column C. If the product code is not found, you want to show "Price not available". Which formula correctly does this using XLOOKUP?

hard

A. =XLOOKUP(E2, A2:A10, C2:C10, "Price not available")

B. =XLOOKUP(A2:A10, E2, C2:C10, "Price not available")

C. =XLOOKUP(E2, C2:C10, A2:A10, "Price not available")

D. =XLOOKUP(E2, A2:A10, C2:C10)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify lookup_value and arrays

   Lookup value is in E2 (product code), lookup array is A2:A10 (product codes), return array is C2:C10 (prices).

2. Step 2: Check for if_not_found argument

   =XLOOKUP(E2, A2:A10, C2:C10, "Price not available") includes "Price not available" for missing codes, fulfilling the requirement.

3. Final Answer:

   =XLOOKUP(E2, A2:A10, C2:C10, "Price not available") -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct lookup and return arrays with if_not_found [OK]

Hint: Use if_not_found to show message when no match [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping lookup and return arrays
• Omitting if_not_found argument
• Using wrong cell references