What is the VLOOKUP Function
The VLOOKUP function searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value from a column you specify in the same row. It is one of the most popular and most used functions in Excel.
Formula: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
Practical Example 1
Table A2:C10 has ID, Name, and Salary. Find the salary for ID 105.
Type: =VLOOKUP(105, A2:C10, 3, FALSE)
Result: the salary of ID 105
Practical Example 2
Handle missing values with IFERROR.
Type: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(105, A2:C10, 3, FALSE), Not Found)
Result: the salary or Not Found
Practical Example 3
Look up a product price from a price table.
Type: =VLOOKUP(A2, PriceTable, 2, FALSE)
Result: the price of the product
Practical Example 4
Use TRUE for approximate match when the first column is sorted.
Type: =VLOOKUP(Score, GradeTable, 2, TRUE)
Result: the grade for that score range
When to Use It
VLOOKUP is used for fetching employee details by ID, for looking up product prices, for matching records between tables, and for any lookup where the key is in the first column of a table. Always use FALSE for exact match.