How To Use Vlookup In Google Sheet (2025)

Understanding VLOOKUP in Google Sheets

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to use the VLOOKUP function in Google Sheets, a powerful tool for data retrieval. VLOOKUP, which stands for "vertical lookup," allows you to find specific information in large datasets.

The Structure of the VLOOKUP Function

The VLOOKUP function follows a specific format. Here’s the general structure:

1. Equal Sign (=): This indicates that you are entering a formula.
2. Function Name (VLOOKUP): This is the name of the function you wish to use.
3. Opening Parenthesis ((): This signals the start of the function’s parameters.
4. Search Key: This is the value you want to look up. It can be any cell in any column except the last one.
5. Range: This specifies the table or dataset you want to search within.
6. Index: This is the column number from which to extract data. The first column is 1, the second column is 2, and so on.
7. [Sorted]: This optional parameter can be set to TRUE if the column is sorted, or FALSE if it is not. This is important for achieving an exact match.
8. Closing Parenthesis ()): This marks the end of the function.

Example: Using VLOOKUP to Retrieve Product Names

Let’s put this function to the test by using it to extract the product name associated with the product number HP8.

1. Begin by Typing the Formula: Click on the cell where you want to display the product name.
2. Enter the VLOOKUP Formula:
   • Type =VLOOKUP(
   • Select the search key, which is the product number (in this case, HP8).
   • Type a comma (,).
   • Select the cell range that contains your data.
   • Type another comma (,).
   • Specify the index. Since we want to retrieve product names, and they are in the second column, type 2.
   • Type another comma (,).
   • Since the product names are not sorted, type FALSE for an exact match.
   • Close the parenthesis ).
3. Press Enter: Once you enter the formula, the VLOOKUP function will return "HP Laptop" as the product name associated with product number HP8.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully used the VLOOKUP function to find the product name related to a specific product number in Google Sheets. This function is incredibly useful for retrieving data quickly and efficiently from large datasets.

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