HLOOKUP function in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the HLOOKUP function do in Google Sheets?

HLOOKUP looks for a value in the top row of a table and returns a value in the same column from a row you specify.

beginner

What is the syntax of the HLOOKUP function?

HLOOKUP(search_key, range, row_index, [is_sorted])

search_key: value to find
range: table to search
row_index: row number to return value from
is_sorted: TRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match or omitted

beginner

What happens if you set the is_sorted argument to FALSE in HLOOKUP?

HLOOKUP will look for an exact match of the search_key in the top row. If it doesn't find it, it returns an error.

intermediate

How does HLOOKUP behave if is_sorted is TRUE or omitted?

HLOOKUP assumes the top row is sorted and returns the closest match less than or equal to the search_key. This is an approximate match.

beginner

Give a real-life example where HLOOKUP can be useful.

Imagine a price list where product names are in the top row and prices are below. Use HLOOKUP to find the price of a product by its name.

What does the 'row_index' argument in HLOOKUP specify?

A The value to search for

B The column number to search in

C The row number in the range to return the value from

D Whether to do an exact or approximate match

The 'row_index' tells HLOOKUP which row's value to return from the matched column.

If you want an exact match in HLOOKUP, what should you set 'is_sorted' to?

A FALSE

B TRUE

C Omit it

D Any number

Setting 'is_sorted' to FALSE forces HLOOKUP to find an exact match.

Where does HLOOKUP search for the search_key?

A In the top row of the range

B In the last row of the range

C In the first column of the range

D In the entire range

HLOOKUP always searches in the top row of the specified range.

What will HLOOKUP return if it cannot find an exact match and 'is_sorted' is FALSE?

A The closest smaller value

B The last value in the range

C The first value in the range

D An error

With 'is_sorted' FALSE, HLOOKUP returns an error if no exact match is found.

Which function is similar to HLOOKUP but searches vertically?

A SUM

B VLOOKUP

C MATCH

D INDEX

VLOOKUP searches in the first column vertically, while HLOOKUP searches in the top row horizontally.

Explain how to use HLOOKUP to find a value in a table and what each argument means.

Think about what you want to find, where you look, and which row to get the result from.

Describe a situation where HLOOKUP is better than VLOOKUP.

Consider how your data is laid out in rows vs columns.

Practice

1. What does the HLOOKUP function do in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Searches for a value in the first column and returns a value from a specified column to the right

B. Searches for a value in the top row and returns a value from a specified row below

C. Adds all numbers in a horizontal range

D. Sorts data horizontally in ascending order

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand HLOOKUP's search direction

   HLOOKUP searches horizontally in the top row of a range, not vertically.

2. Step 2: Understand the return value

   It returns a value from a specified row below the found column, matching the search value.

3. Final Answer:

   Searches for a value in the top row and returns a value from a specified row below -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   HLOOKUP = horizontal search and return [OK]

Hint: HLOOKUP looks across the top row, not down a column [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing HLOOKUP with VLOOKUP
• Thinking it searches vertically
• Assuming it sums values

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for the HLOOKUP function?

easy

A. HLOOKUP(search_key, range, row_index, [is_sorted])

B. HLOOKUP(range, search_key, row_index, [is_sorted])

C. HLOOKUP(search_key, row_index, range, [is_sorted])

D. HLOOKUP(row_index, search_key, range, [is_sorted])

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall HLOOKUP syntax order

   The correct order is search_key first, then range, then row_index, and optional is_sorted last.

2. Step 2: Match options to syntax

   HLOOKUP(search_key, range, row_index, [is_sorted]) matches this order exactly, others mix parameters incorrectly.

3. Final Answer:

   HLOOKUP(search_key, range, row_index, [is_sorted]) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Syntax order = search_key, range, row_index, is_sorted [OK]

Hint: Remember: search_key, range, row_index, then is_sorted [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping range and search_key positions
• Putting row_index before range
• Omitting optional is_sorted parameter

3. Given the table below in cells A1:D3:

| A   | B    | C    | D    |
|-----|------|------|------|
| ID  | 101  | 102  | 103  |
| Name| John | Mary | Alex |
| Age | 25   | 30   | 22   |

What is the result of =HLOOKUP(102, A1:D3, 3, FALSE)?

medium

A. 22

B. Mary

C. 30

D. 102

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate search_key 102 in top row

   Top row is A1:D1: ID, 101, 102, 103. The value 102 is found in cell C1 (3rd column).

2. Step 2: Return value from row 3 in the same column

   Row 3 is A3:D3: Age, 25, 30, 22. The 3rd column value is 30.

3. Final Answer:

   30 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   HLOOKUP finds 102, returns 30 [OK]

Hint: Find value in top row, then pick from given row below [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Returning value from wrong row
• Confusing columns and rows
• Using approximate match instead of exact

4. You wrote the formula =HLOOKUP(105, A1:D3, 2, FALSE) but it returns #N/A. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. Row index 2 is invalid

B. You used TRUE instead of FALSE for exact match

C. Range A1:D3 is empty

D. 105 is not found exactly in the top row

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if 105 exists in top row

   Since 105 is not present in the top row of A1:D1, exact match fails.

2. Step 2: Understand #N/A error meaning

   #N/A means the lookup value was not found when exact match (FALSE) is used.

3. Final Answer:

   105 is not found exactly in the top row -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   #N/A means no exact match found [OK]

Hint: Exact match needs value present in top row [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming approximate match works with FALSE
• Using wrong row index
• Ignoring #N/A meaning

5. You have this table in A1:E3:

| A    | B     | C     | D     | E     |
|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| Code | A101  | A102  | A103  | A104  |
| Qty  | 10    | 15    | 20    | 25    |
| Price| 5.00  | 7.50  | 6.00  | 8.00  |

You want to find the price of code A103 using HLOOKUP. Which formula correctly returns the price?

hard

A. =HLOOKUP("A103", A1:E3, 3, FALSE)

B. =HLOOKUP("A103", A1:E3, 2, FALSE)

C. =HLOOKUP("A103", A1:E3, 4, FALSE)

D. =HLOOKUP("A103", A2:E3, 3, FALSE)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the row number for Price

   Price is in row 3 of the range A1:E3.

2. Step 2: Use HLOOKUP with correct row index and exact match

   Formula should search for "A103" in top row and return value from row 3, with FALSE for exact match.

3. Final Answer:

   =HLOOKUP("A103", A1:E3, 3, FALSE) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Price is row 3, use row_index=3 [OK]

Hint: Match code in top row, return price from 3rd row [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong row index for price
• Using incomplete range missing header row
• Confusing quantity row with price row