How do you use Excel’s LOOKUP function

The LOOKUP function in Excel is used to search for a value in a range (one row or column) and return a corresponding value from another range. It is often used to retrieve data based on a lookup value. Here’s how to use it:

Syntax

LOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_vector, [result_vector])

• lookup_value: The value you want to search for. This can be a number, text, or reference to a cell containing the search value.
• lookup_vector: A single row or column range where Excel will search for the lookup_value.
• result_vector (optional): A single row or column range that corresponds to the lookup_vector. Excel will return the value from this range that corresponds to the position of the lookup_value found in the lookup_vector.

If you omit the result_vector, LOOKUP will return a value from the lookup_vector itself.

Example

Let’s say you have the following data:

You want to find the price for "Cherry." Here’s how to use LOOKUP:

excel

Copy code

=LOOKUP("Cherry", A1:A4, B1:B4)

• lookup_value: "Cherry"
• lookup_vector: A1:A4 (the list of fruits)
• result_vector: B1:B4 (the list of prices)

This will return 30 because "Cherry" is in the third position of column A, and the corresponding value in column B is 30.

Notes:

• The lookup_vector must be sorted in ascending order, or LOOKUP may not work as expected.
• If an exact match for lookup_value is not found, LOOKUP will match the largest value in the lookup_vector that is less than or equal to lookup_value.