Excel VLOOKUP function
Looks up a value in a table’s first column and returns data from another column on that row. In Spanish Excel it is called BUSCARV.
Syntax
English Excel
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=BUSCARV(valor_buscado, matriz_tabla, indicador_columnas, [rango])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=BUSCARV(valor_buscado; matriz_tabla; indicador_columnas; [rango])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| lookup_value | What you look for, in the table’s first column. |
| table_array | The whole table. |
| col_index_num | The number of the column to return (1, 2, 3…). |
| range_lookupoptional | FALSE for an exact match; TRUE or omitted to look up brackets. |
Example
VLOOKUP(value, table, column, FALSE) looks for the value in the table’s first column and returns the data from the column you choose (1, 2, 3…). FALSE asks for an exact match, which is almost always what you want.
=VLOOKUP(F2,A2:C8,3,FALSE)
Common mistake
Forget FALSE and VLOOKUP matches approximately, which can silently return the wrong row. It only returns columns to the right; to look left use INDEX + MATCH or XLOOKUP.
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Practice VLOOKUP
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP(value, table, column, FALSE) looks for the value in the table’s first column and returns the data from the column you choose (1, 2, 3…). FALSE asks for an exact match, which is almost always what you want.
In F3, look up the price of the product whose code is in F2.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Code | Product | Price | ||||
| 2 | P-101 | Drill | 1,299 | Code | P-104 | ||
| 3 | P-102 | Hammer | 189 | Price | |||
| 4 | P-103 | Screwdriver | 95 | ||||
| 5 | P-104 | Saw | 459 | ||||
| 6 | P-105 | Wrench | 239 | ||||
| 7 | P-106 | Pliers | 149 | ||||
| 8 | P-107 | Tape measure | 119 | ||||
| 9 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is VLOOKUP called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is BUSCARV. The formula =VLOOKUP(F2,A2:C8,3,FALSE) is written =BUSCARV(F2;A2:C8;3;FALSO) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does VLOOKUP use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common VLOOKUP mistake?
- Forget FALSE and VLOOKUP matches approximately, which can silently return the wrong row. It only returns columns to the right; to look left use INDEX + MATCH or XLOOKUP.