Scribd
Upload
53 views

The Excel VLOOKUP Sample File Shown in The Additional Excel Resources Section

This document provides instructions for using the VLOOKUP function in Excel 2010 to translate political party codes stored in one worksheet into descriptions stored in another worksheet. It walks through deleting sample data, inserting the VLOOKUP function, and selecting the lookup value, table array, index column, and specifying an exact match. It notes that making the table array reference absolute allows accurately copying the formula down a column. Following these steps translates party codes into descriptive names.

Uploaded by

Ramiz Rzaoglu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
53 views

The Excel VLOOKUP Sample File Shown in The Additional Excel Resources Section

This document provides instructions for using the VLOOKUP function in Excel 2010 to translate political party codes stored in one worksheet into descriptions stored in another worksheet. It walks through deleting sample data, inserting the VLOOKUP function, and selecting the lookup value, table array, index column, and specifying an exact match. It notes that making the table array reference absolute allows accurately copying the formula down a column. Following these steps translates party codes into descriptive names.

Uploaded by

Ramiz Rzaoglu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010

This lesson accompanies the article at


http://www.timeatlas.com/5_minute_tips/general/learning_vlookup_in_excel. The screen snaps
reflect the newer Excel 2010.

1. Download the Excel VLOOKUP sample file shown in the Additional Excel Resources section

Note: For this tutorial, we will be deleting information on this sheet and recreating the VLOOKUP
formula.

2. Open the sample file in Excel 2010

The workbook will have 2 sheets at the bottom: Voters and Party Codes. The first sheet is a
listing of registered voters and the second contains names of political parties.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 1


3. Delete the cell entries for D2:D7

Note: You can keep the column header "Politcal Party". We will keep the entries on the Party
Codes worksheet.

4. Place your cursor in cell D2 and choose Insert Function from the Formulas tab.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 2


5. In the Search for a function: text box type "vlookup" and press the Go button.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 3


6. Highlight VLOOKUP and click OK.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 4


7. Now we will create the VLOOKUP formula that will translate the "A" Pcode in cell C2 to a
more useful description found on the Party Codes worksheet.

Note: VLOOKUP relies on 4 function arguments which are numbered above. The last item,
Range_lookup [4] is optional as it can be blank.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 5


8. In the Lookup_value text box, type "C2"

In this step, we're asking excel to lookup the contents of cell "c2". Notice how Excel displays the
cell's value of "A" to the right of the text box. This helps you check your entries.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 6


9. In the Table_array text box, select the area Excel should use to find the translations by
clicking the Party Codes worksheet. In this case, I'll highlight the range A2:B45.

Notice how Excel adds the worksheet name and range as you highlight an area.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 7


10. In the Col_index_num field, type "2". This is our index column from the Party Codes
worksheet that contains the descriptions.

As before, Excel builds out the cell's formula as we add the function arguments and shows the
value it read. For the cell C2, Excel is saying the Pcode of "A" translates to "Democratic"

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 8


11. In the Range_lookup, type "false" as we want exact matches.

Note: Excel also provides tips for the function arguments below the text boxes.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 9


12. Click OK

Note how Excel translated the formula to "Democratic"

13. If you plan on copying this formula to other cells, you need to make a slight adjustment.
Click the Insert Function button again.

Note: You can make edits using the formula bar, but if you're just starting out, I find it easier to use
the dialog box.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 10


14. Edit the Table_array value by entering in $ signs around the cell references. This makes
the value absolute.

Note how the $ precedes the column and row references.

15. Copy your formula to other cells in the column by dragging down.

How To Use VLOOKUP in Excel 2010 - 11

You might also like