How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel

Excel is a powerful tool with numerous functions and features that can help users process and manage data efficiently. One of the most useful functions is XLOOKUP, introduced in Excel 365. XLOOKUP, as the name suggests, helps you lookup and return values from a corresponding table or range. It offers significant improvements over its predecessor, VLOOKUP, and can handle a wide range of lookup scenarios more accurately and efficiently. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to use XLOOKUP in Excel, so you can take advantage of this function and make your work easier and faster.

1. Understanding the syntax of XLOOKUP

XLOOKUP is a versatile function that allows you to lookup and return values from a table or range. Its syntax is straightforward and intuitive, making it easy to use. The four parameters that you need to provide are:

Lookup_value:

This is the value that you want to look up in the table or range.

Lookup_array:

This is the range or array where you want to search for the lookup_value.

Return_array:

This is the range or array containing the values you want to return.

If_not_found:

This is the value or message that you want to return if the lookup_value is not found in the lookup_array.

2. Using XLOOKUP to search for exact matches

If you want to search for exact matches, you can use XLOOKUP with the exact match argument set to TRUE. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want to retrieve the lookup value.
2. Type the XLOOKUP function with the following syntax: =XLOOKUP(lookup_value,lookup_array,return_array,0)
3. Replace “lookup_value,” “lookup_array,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values.
4. Press Enter, and the result will be displayed in the selected cell.

3. Using XLOOKUP to search for approximate matches

If you want to search for approximate matches, you can use XLOOKUP with the approximate match argument set to FALSE. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want to retrieve the lookup value.
2. Type the XLOOKUP function with the following syntax: =XLOOKUP(lookup_value,lookup_array,return_array,1)
3. Replace “lookup_value,” “lookup_array,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values.
4. Press Enter, and the result will be displayed in the selected cell.

4. Using XLOOKUP with wildcards

If you want to use wildcards to search for a pattern, you can use XLOOKUP with the match mode argument set to 2. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want to retrieve the lookup value.
2. Type the XLOOKUP function with the following syntax: =XLOOKUP(lookup_value&”*”,lookup_array& “*”, return_array,2)
3. Replace “lookup_value,” “lookup_array,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values.
4. Press Enter, and the result will be displayed in the selected cell.

5. Using XLOOKUP with multiple criteria

If you want to search for values based on multiple criteria, you can use XLOOKUP with the IF function. Here’s how:

1. Select the cell where you want to retrieve the lookup value.
2. Type the formula =XLOOKUP(1,(criteria1=lookup_array)*(criteria2=lookup_array)*(criteria3=lookup_array)*match_result,return_array)
3. Replace “criteria1,” “criteria2,” “criteria3,” “lookup_array,” “match_result,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values.
4. Press Enter, and the result will be displayed in the selected cell.

6. Using XLOOKUP vs. VLOOKUP

XLOOKUP is a recent addition to Excel, and it offers several advantages over VLOOKUP. Unlike VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP can perform left-to-right and right-to-left lookups. It also allows you to specify a range for the return values, which VLOOKUP doesn’t. XLOOKUP is also faster and more versatile, as it can handle more than one lookup criterion. If you already know how to use VLOOKUP, transitioning to XLOOKUP is easy.

7. Using XLOOKUP with dynamic arrays

XLOOKUP is designed to work with dynamic arrays in Excel 365. A dynamic array is a range of cells that automatically expands or contracts based on the data you enter. If you have Excel 365, you can use XLOOKUP with dynamic arrays to make your work more efficient. You can create a dynamic array by entering data in a table or by using the Filter function.

8. Troubleshooting XLOOKUP errors

XLOOKUP, like any Excel function, may return an error if there’s something wrong with the formula or the data. The most common errors are #N/A (Value not available), #REF (Invalid cell reference), and #NAME? (Invalid function name). If you encounter an error, check the formula and the data for errors or inconsistencies. Make sure that the ranges and criteria are correct.

9. XLOOKUP examples

Here are some examples of how to use XLOOKUP in Excel:

• Retrieving a value from a table using an exact match: =XLOOKUP(B2,A2:A7,C2:C7,0)
• Retrieving a value using an approximate match: =XLOOKUP(B2,A2:A7,C2:C7,1)
• Retrieving a value using a wildcard: =XLOOKUP(B2&”*”,A2:A7,C2:C7,2)
• Retrieving a value using multiple criteria: =XLOOKUP(1,(B2=lookup_range)*(C2=lookup_range)*match_value,return_range)

XLOOKUP is a versatile and powerful function in Excel that can help you search for and retrieve data more efficiently. It offers several advantages over VLOOKUP and is easy to use once you understand its syntax. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start using XLOOKUP in your worksheets and make your work more efficient and accurate.

FAQ

Here are some common questions about using XLOOKUP in Excel:

1. What is the difference between XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP are both functions in Excel that allow you to look up and retrieve data from a table or range. However, XLOOKUP is more versatile and faster than VLOOKUP. XLOOKUP can handle left-to-right and right-to-left lookups, allows you to specify a range for the return values, and can handle more than one lookup criterion.

2. How do I troubleshoot XLOOKUP errors?

If you encounter an error with the XLOOKUP function, check the formula and the data for errors or inconsistencies. Make sure that the ranges and criteria are correct. The most common errors are #N/A (Value not available), #REF (Invalid cell reference), and #NAME? (Invalid function name).

3. Can I use XLOOKUP with dynamic arrays?

Yes, if you have Excel 365, you can use XLOOKUP with dynamic arrays to make your work more efficient. A dynamic array is a range of cells that automatically expands or contracts based on the data you enter. You can create a dynamic array by entering data in a table or by using the Filter function.

4. How do I use XLOOKUP with wildcards?

You can use XLOOKUP with wildcards to search for a pattern. To do this, use XLOOKUP with the match mode argument set to 2. Replace “lookup_value,” “lookup_array,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values, and include the “*” wildcard character in the lookup criteria.

5. Can XLOOKUP handle multiple criteria?

Yes, XLOOKUP can handle multiple criteria. If you want to search for values based on multiple criteria, you can use XLOOKUP with the IF function. Replace “criteria1,” “criteria2,” “criteria3,” “lookup_array,” “match_result,” and “return_array” with the appropriate ranges or values, and provide all the necessary lookup criteria.