Why Use Vlookup Instead of Complex Database Applications
Not many people know that Microsoft Excel has advanced features that can be compared to what database applications software can do. It is not confined to just entering values in rows and columns and using formulas like average, sum or count. Microsot Excel can do more than this. In fact, it can use a reference table for coding systems to avoid the manual entry of code values or descriptions. This is simpler than using the query features of databases. This can be made possible by using the function Vlookup. You no longer have to spend time learning some database applications software just to implement a reference table. You can save on time and resources when you just rely on what Microsoft Excel can do. It will not take an hour to learn how to implement Vlookup. The implementation is as easy as learning how to use a simple formula like count or average.
The use of databases is necessary for complex applications. If there are queries that need to be processed based on some parameters and there are real-time processing necessary to make a decision, it is based to proceed with using databases. Otherwise, if your requirement is a simple coding system where you only need to specify a lookup table, the best thing to do is to rely on Vlookup. It will not be time-consuming to apply a simple formula knowing that you already know the basics of spreadsheet applications
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You can try using Vlookup to access a matrix that stores the description of student’s grades. The table can contain the columns for the code and the description, like E and Excellent stored in the two columns. S means Satisfactory, F means Failure, and so forth and so on. You can specify the lookup table in another spreadsheet or in the same spreadsheet but it should not be in a location where your main data are stored. When you use Vlookup, you are calling on Microsoft Excel to convert the code based on its equivalent at the lookup table. You can have a whole column to call on the table and automatically fill in the equivalents. With a few entries, this can be implemented. If you will use database software for this, you will need to first know the concepts of databases, queries and reports just to implement such. Although this may be good since it will be additional learning on your part; however, if you are in a hurry to implement the coding reference, it is best to use the Vlookup function of Microsoft Excel.
Learning Vlookup does not require advance skills in spreadsheet manipulations. As long as you know the basics of cell referencing and you understand the required parameters of a function, the process of implementing Vlookup is very easy to learn and apply. When you already got the hang of it, your use Microsoft Excel will then be maximized that, when some applications can be presented using lookup tables, you will never hesitate to use it again.
