Maximizing Excel by Using Vlookup
If you are planning to organize your records with the use of popular database applications software, but you are worried that you need to study about manipulating databases using the software, you have another option to make things easier. If you have a good grasp of Microsoft Excel and you are just using it for simple spreadsheet applications, you should know that this productivity tool can accommodate some functions that can be compared to what a database application can do. You can use a reference or a lookup table for some commonly used codes in your spreadsheet through Vlookup.
Vlookup is a function that specifies a certain location where it needs to find an equivalent value, either a numeric or a description or anything that may be necessary, and automatically enter the corresponding entry in the lookup table. This can be commonly applied for cases where product codes are needed. Students’ ratings can also be implemented with the use of Vlookup.
You can work on using Vlookup in two ways. The first approach is to rely on the built-in Microsoft Excel wizard. This is recommended for newbies in using the function. However, as the function is getting used regularly, it will be easier to use it by manually entering the values. The only thing that will make things easier is when you specify the range of cells for the lookup matrix by highlighting the range instead of manually filling up the cell locations. Other than this entry, manually specifying formula values will make the processing faster.
The formula for Vlookup is as follows:
Vlookup(lookup value, table array, column index number, [range lookup])
The lookup value refers to the value or code that you want to look for a corresponding description or value. If you have a product coding system that says BEV and you want to know the complete description of this code, the lookup value should point to the cell where BEV is stored. If it is located in C2, then the first entry in the Vlookup formula is C2. The second entry is the range of cells where the definitions or descriptions are found. This table should contain at least two columns where the first column contains the code specified in C2 and another column contains the descriptions of the codes. The table can have the code BEV be equivalent to Beverage. Specify the range by highlighting the area or manually entering the location using the syntax <cell1>:<cell2>. Thus, if the range is located within the area AA1 to AB22, the entry should be AA1:AB22. The third parameter, the column index number, refers to the column that you want the value returned. It normally is the second column of the look up table if the first column reflects the code. Thus, the third value should be 2. Finally, the [range lookup] parameter refers to whether you want Excel to show an approximate match. This Boolean parameter can be TRUE or FALSE. If you set it to FALSE, the function will look for an exact match.
Now that you know how to use Vlookup as a function for reference tables, you have maximized Microsoft Excel one notch higher. There are many other functions that you will find useful for other applications other than the normal spreadsheet entries and formula.
