VLOOKUP function in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the VLOOKUP function do in Google Sheets?

VLOOKUP searches for a value in the first column of a range and returns a value in the same row from another column you specify.

beginner

What are the four arguments of the VLOOKUP function?

The four arguments are:<br>1. search_key: The value to find.<br>2. range: The table to search in.<br>3. index: The column number in the range to return the value from.<br>4. is_sorted: TRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match.

beginner

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

VLOOKUP looks for an exact match of the search_key. If it doesn't find one, it returns an error (#N/A).

beginner

Why should the search_key be in the first column of the range in VLOOKUP?

Because VLOOKUP always searches for the search_key in the first column of the range. If it's not there, it won't find the value.

beginner

How do you use VLOOKUP to find a price of an item named "Apple" in a list where names are in column A and prices in column B?

Use =VLOOKUP("Apple", A:B, 2, FALSE). It looks for "Apple" in column A and returns the price from column B.

In VLOOKUP, what does the 'index' argument specify?

A The column number in the range to return the value from

B The row number to search

C The value to find

D Whether to sort the data

The 'index' tells VLOOKUP which column's value to return from the range.

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

A Zero

B The closest match

C The first value in the range

D An error (#N/A)

With is_sorted FALSE, VLOOKUP returns #N/A if no exact match is found.

Where does VLOOKUP look for the search_key in the range?

A In the first column

B In the middle column

C In the last column

D In any column

VLOOKUP always searches for the search_key in the first column of the range.

Which formula correctly finds the price of "Banana" in columns A (names) and B (prices)?

A =VLOOKUP("Banana", B:A, 1, TRUE)

B =VLOOKUP("Banana", A:B, 1, FALSE)

C =VLOOKUP("Banana", A:B, 2, FALSE)

D =VLOOKUP("Banana", A:B, 3, FALSE)

Option C searches for "Banana" in column A and returns the price from column 2 (B).

What does setting is_sorted to TRUE do in VLOOKUP?

A Requires exact match only

B Allows approximate match and requires sorted data

C Returns an error if no match

D Searches backwards

TRUE allows approximate match but the first column must be sorted ascending.

Explain how to use VLOOKUP to find information in a table. Include what each argument means.

Think about looking up a friend's phone number in a contact list.

Describe a common mistake when using VLOOKUP and how to fix it.

Imagine looking for a name in the wrong column.