How to Do Vlookup in Excel With Two Tabs?

Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing data, and the Vlookup function is one of its most useful features. If you want to quickly find information in two different tabs of your spreadsheet, Vlookup can be a great timesaver. In this article, we’ll show you how to do Vlookup in Excel with two tabs. With just a few simple steps, you can easily search two tabs of your Excel file to find the information you need.

How to Use VLOOKUP in Excel with Two Tabs

Vlookup is a powerful tool in Microsoft Excel that allows you to quickly look up information in one column and return data from another column in the same table. Vlookup can also be used to quickly compare data between two different tabs in Excel. In this guide, we will explain how to use VLOOKUP in Excel with two tabs.

The first step is to open the Excel file that contains the two tabs you want to compare. Once the file is open, you will need to enable the VLOOKUP function in Excel. To do this, go to the Formulas tab and select Insert Function. From the list of functions, select VLOOKUP and click OK.

Next, you will need to enter the data that you want to compare. In the first column, enter the data that you want to use as the lookup value. In the second column, enter the data from the other tab that you want to compare. Finally, click OK to save the VLOOKUP.

Setting the Table Array

Once the VLOOKUP is enabled, you will need to set the table array. The table array is the range of cells that contains the data that you want to compare. To set the table array, click the Table Array option in the VLOOKUP dialogue box and select the range of cells that contains the data.

Once you have set the table array, you will need to choose which column to return the data from. To do this, select the Column Index Number option in the VLOOKUP dialogue box and select the column number of the column that contains the data you want to return.

Using VLOOKUP to Compare Data

Once you have set the table array and the column index number, you can now use the VLOOKUP function to compare the data in the two tabs. To do this, simply enter the VLOOKUP formula into the cell where you want the data to be returned.

The VLOOKUP formula should look something like this: =VLOOKUP(lookup value, table array, column index number). The lookup value should be the data that you entered in the first column. The table array should be the range of cells that contains the data that you want to compare. The column index number should be the column number of the column that contains the data you want to return.

Once you have entered the VLOOKUP formula, press enter to execute the formula. The data from the other tab should now be returned in the cell.

Troubleshooting VLOOKUP Errors

If you are having trouble getting the VLOOKUP to work, there are a few possible causes. The most common causes are incorrect table array and column index number settings, or incorrect lookup values. Make sure that you have entered the correct table array and column index number settings and that the lookup values are correct.

Using an Absolute Reference

If you want to use the VLOOKUP formula in multiple cells, it is best to use an absolute reference. An absolute reference is a cell reference that does not change when you copy the formula to other cells. To use an absolute reference, simply add a dollar sign ($) before the column and row references in the table array.

Adding Logic to the VLOOKUP Formula

You can also add logic to the VLOOKUP formula. For example, you can use the IFERROR function to check if the VLOOKUP formula returns an error, and then return a custom value if it does. To do this, you will need to add the IFERROR function to the VLOOKUP formula. The IFERROR function should look something like this: =IFERROR(VLOOKUP(lookup value, table array, column index number), custom value).

Using Wildcards in the VLOOKUP Formula

You can also use wildcards in the VLOOKUP formula. Wildcards are used to match partial strings. For example, you can use a wildcard to match any string that starts with a certain letter. To use wildcards, simply add the asterisk (*) character to the lookup value. The asterisk character will match any set of characters.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vlookup in Excel?

Vlookup is a function in Microsoft Excel that allows you to search for a specific value in a range of cells and return a result from another column in the same row. Vlookup stands for Vertical Lookup and can be used to quickly compare data between two or more sheets in a workbook. It is a powerful tool for quickly finding information and can save you time when working with large data sets.

How do I use Vlookup with two tabs in Excel?

Using Vlookup with two tabs in Excel is relatively straightforward. First, you will need to open the two tabs in the workbook that you want to compare. Then, you will need to insert a Vlookup formula in the first tab, which will reference the second tab. The Vlookup formula should contain the following components: the range of cells in the second tab that you want to search, the column number of the value that you want to return, a logical value of either true or false, and the value that you are searching for. Once you have entered the formula, you can press enter and Excel will return the result from the second tab.

What is the syntax for a Vlookup formula?

The syntax for a Vlookup formula is: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, range_lookup). The lookup_value is the value that you are searching for in the table_array, which is the range of cells in the second tab. The col_index_num is the column number of the value that you want to return. Last, the range_lookup is either true or false depending on if you want an exact or approximate match.

What happens if the Vlookup formula can’t find a match?

If the Vlookup formula cannot find a match, it will return the #N/A error. This means that the value that you are searching for is not found in the specified range of cells. To avoid this, you can use the IFERROR function in the Vlookup formula to return a default value if a match is not found.

Are there any alternative functions to Vlookup?

Yes, there are several alternative functions to Vlookup. These include the INDEX/MATCH function, the XLOOKUP function, and the SUMIFS function. Each of these functions have their own advantages and disadvantages and may be better suited to different types of data sets.

What are the best practices for using Vlookup?

The best practices for using Vlookup include: always use exact matches when possible, use the IFERROR function to handle errors, make sure that the data is in the same format, and avoid using Vlookup with large data sets. It is also important to check that the Vlookup formula is referencing the correct range of cells and make sure that the column number is correct.

Vlookup is an invaluable tool for Excel users. It can help you quickly look up data from one tab in another tab, making data analysis easier and more efficient. It’s not always the most intuitive of features, but with a few simple steps, this guide has shown you how to do Vlookup in Excel with two tabs in no time. Take your data analysis skills to the next level and start utilizing Vlookup today!