Mastering XLOOKUP: A Comprehensive Guide for Excel and Google Sheets

The XLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in both Excel and Google Sheets, designed to simplify data retrieval. This function replaces older lookup functions like VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP, offering more flexibility and ease of use.

What is XLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP allows users to search for a specific value in one range and return a corresponding value from another range. It can perform both vertical and horizontal lookups, making it versatile for various data structures.

How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel

Syntax

The syntax for XLOOKUP is:

=XLOOKUP(search_key, lookup_range, result_range, [missing_value], [match_mode], [search_mode])

• search_key: The value you want to find.
• lookup_range: The range where the function searches for the search key.
• result_range: The range from which to return the result.
• [missing_value]: Optional fallback if no match is found.
• [match_mode]: Optional; controls how matches are found.
• [search_mode]: Optional; determines the search order.

Example

Imagine you have a product list in Excel:

Product ID	Product Name	Price
101	Apples	$1
102	Bananas	$0.5
103	Cherries	$2

To find the price of Bananas using XLOOKUP:

=XLOOKUP(102, A2:A4, C2:C4, "Not Found")

How to Use XLOOKUP in Google Sheets

Syntax

In Google Sheets, the syntax remains the same:

=XLOOKUP(search_key, lookup_range, result_range, [missing_value], [match_mode], [search_mode])

Example

Using the same product list in Google Sheets:

=XLOOKUP(102, A2:A4, C2:C4, "Not Found")

Advantages of XLOOKUP

• Flexible Range Selection: Unlike VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP can look left or right.
• Error Handling: You can specify a default value if no match is found.
• Multiple Results: XLOOKUP can return multiple values from adjacent columns.
• Search Modes: You can search from top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top.

Conclusion

The XLOOKUP function is a game-changer for anyone working with data in Excel or Google Sheets. Its flexibility and ease of use make it an essential tool for efficient data management.