Mastering VLOOKUP on Multiple Columns in Excel: Techniques and Examples

Mastering VLOOKUP to work with multiple columns can significantly enhance data retrieval and management tasks in Excel. This article will guide you through two effective methods: using a helper column and leveraging the INDEX and MATCH functions. We'll provide step-by-step instructions and examples to help you apply these techniques in your Excel work.

Introduction to VLOOKUP and Multiple Columns

VLOOKUP is a powerful formula in Excel that retrieves data based on a lookup value in a specified column. However, it only searches for values in a single column. For more complex searches, involving multiple columns, use either a helper column or combine VLOOKUP with other functions like INDEX and MATCH.

Method 1: Using a Helper Column

The simplest way to perform a VLOOKUP on multiple columns is by creating a helper column. This column facilitates the combination of relevant data from the multiple columns you are interested in for each lookup.

Step 1: Create a Helper Column

First, add a new column to your existing data table. Use the formula to combine the relevant columns. For example, if you want to look up values based on columns A and B, follow these steps:

Create column C and enter the formula: A2B2. This combines the values from columns A and B. Drag the formula down to fill the cells in the helper column.

Step 2: Implement VLOOKUP

Once the helper column is set up, you can easily use VLOOKUP to find the desired value. Reference the combined fields in your VLOOKUP formula:

VLOOKUP(

For example:

VLOOKUP(10188, A2:C5, 3, FALSE)

This formula searches for the combined value of "10188" in the first three columns of your data range and returns the score from column C.

Method 2: Using INDEX and MATCH

If you prefer not to create a helper column, you can use the combination of INDEX and MATCH functions. This method provides you with more flexibility and avoids modifying your original data.

Step 1: Structure of INDEX and MATCH

Combine INDEX and MATCH to look up values across multiple criteria. The formula structure is as follows:

INDEX(return_range, MATCH(1, criteria_range1value1 * criteria_range2value2, 0))

For example:

INDEX(C:C, MATCH(1, A:A"Alice" * B:B101, 0))

This formula checks if the ID is 101 in column B and the name is Alice in column A, and returns the corresponding score in column C.

Step 2: Applying Array Formula in Older Excel Versions

Older versions of Excel require you to enter this formula as an array formula:

Ctrl Shift Enter

For the example provided, the formula would be:

INDEX(C:C, MATCH(1, A:A"Alice" * B:B101, 0))

Example: Using VLOOKUP and INDEX MATCH in Real Data

Assume you have the following data in columns A, B, and C:

ABC nameIDScore Alice10185 Bob10290 Carol10188

To look up Carol's score using both her name and ID (101):

Helper Column Method

Create a helper column D with the formula:

A2B2

Then use VLOOKUP:

VLOOKUP(10188, A2:C5, 3, FALSE)

This will return 88, which is Carol's score.

INDEX MATCH Method

Use INDEX and MATCH as follows:

INDEX(C:C, MATCH(1, (A:A"Alice") * (B:B101), 0))

This formula checks if the ID is 101 in column B and the name is Alice in column A, and returns the corresponding score in column C.

Notes

Ensure your data does not contain duplicates in the combined search columns or you will only get the first match. The MATCH function with multiple criteria is array-based, so remember to use Ctrl Shift Enter if you are using an older version of Excel that requires it.

This approach provides flexibility in looking up values based on multiple criteria without altering your original dataset significantly.