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])<br><br>search_key: value to find<br>range: table to search<br>row_index: row number to return value from<br>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.