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VLOOKUP Function
Summary
The Excel VLOOKUP function looks for a value in the leftmost column of a table and returns a value in the same row from a column you specify.
Syntax
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| lookup_value | Any |
Yes | The value to search for in the first column of the table |
| table_array | Range |
Yes | The table of data to search in |
| col_index_num | Number |
Yes | The column number in the table from which to return a value |
| range_lookup | Boolean |
No | TRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match |
Using the VLOOKUP Function
VLOOKUP is one of the most popular Excel functions for looking up data in tables. It searches vertically down the first column of a range.
Common VLOOKUP Examples
Basic VLOOKUP Example
=VLOOKUP(A2, B:C, 2, FALSE)Looks up value in A2 in column B and returns corresponding value from column C.
Compatibility
Available in: All Excel versions
Content last reviewed: November 24, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+