Excel has a useful function called VLOOKUP, which allows you to search and retrieve data from a table. Excel Certification is helpful for professionals who need to understand more about Excel features and functions. In this blog post, we will discuss these common mistakes to consider while using VLOOKUP in Excel and give you valuable tips on avoiding them.
Table Of Contents
- Mistakes to Avoid in VLOOKUP of Excel
- Conclusion
Mistakes to Avoid in VLOOKUP of Excel
Incorrect Column Index Number
The column index number tells you where in your data table the column you want to get data from when you use VLOOKUP. This number is significant because giving VLOOKUP the wrong column index could return incorrect information.
If you put the wrong column index, like 2, for example, when you want to find sales data in column C but column B is your lookup column, VLOOKUP will get data from the wrong column, giving you bad results. So, ensure that the column index number always points to the right column with the info you want.
Not Using Absolute Cell References
When you copy a VLOOKUP formula to another cell, the range of cells you refer to stays the same, thanks to absolute cell references. If you don’t use absolute references, Excel will change the cell references based on where the formula is about the references. This could lead to mistakes in your VLOOKUP results.
For example, suppose your VLOOKUP formula refers to a data table in cells A2–B10 but has no absolute references. Copying the formula to another cell could change the cells it relates to, resulting in wrong lookup results. Put dollar signs ($) before the column and row names in your formula to prevent this, for example, $A$2:$B$10.
Missing Exact Match Parameter
The VLOOKUP function’s range_lookup parameter tells whether to do an exact or an estimated match. When VLOOKUP looks for a value in the lookup column, an actual game ensures it gets the same value. If an exact match is not found, an approximate match lets VLOOKUP return the closest match. If you forget to set or incorrectly enter the range_lookup parameter, VLOOKUP may give you data you did not expect.
For instance, if you’re looking for a specific customer ID but use an approximate match instead, VLOOKUP might give you data from a different customer that closely fits the ID, which could lead to wrong data. To get correct lookup results, you should always type “FALSE” for an exact match or “0” in numerical form.
Not Sorting Data Correctly
Excel thinks that the data in the first column of your lookup table should be in ascending order when you use VLOOKUP with an estimated match (range_lookup set to “TRUE”). If you don’t sort the data correctly, VLOOKUP might give you wrong results or errors.
If your data table isn’t sorted, for example, VLOOKUP might get a number from a different row than you meant, which could lead to data mismatches. This won’t happen if you always sort your data by the lookup field and then use VLOOKUP with an approximate match.
Using VLOOKUP with Merged Cells
Merged cells in Excel change the structure of the data area by combining several cells into one. Using VLOOKUP on tables that have joined cells can go wrong or give you results you didn’t expect. Merged cells mess up the lookup process by making it hard for VLOOKUP to get correct data because they create irregular data ranges.
To avoid mistakes, don’t use VLOOKUP on tables with joined cells. If your data has joined cells, unmerge them before using VLOOKUP to ensure you get the correct data.
Not Using IFERROR Function
You can fix mistakes with VLOOKUP in Excel using the IFERROR function. By wrapping your VLOOKUP formula in IFERROR, you can set a custom message or value to show when VLOOKUP makes a mistake. This makes your results more understandable and user-friendly.
IFERROR with VLOOKUP allows you to display a message like “Data Not Found” instead of the default #N/A error when VLOOKUP fails to find a matching number. This makes your files more straightforward to use and makes the data more accessible to users.
Conclusion
By avoiding these common mistakes and adhering to best practices, you can use VLOOKUP to get accurate data in Excel and analyse it. Paying attention to details, taking tests regularly, and always learning will help you improve at VLOOKUP and Excel tasks.