The XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions in Excel both look for a value in a table or list to return related results. However, there is still a difference between the XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions .
The two functions XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP in Excel are both used to analyze large data sets quickly. In terms of "age", XLOOKUP is a new function, while VLOOKUP has been used for a long time. Both have their own advantages and limitations. Let's explore the differences with WebTech360 to see which Excel function is most suitable for your project!
How the VLOOKUP function works
VLOOKUP stands for Vertical Look-up. It is an Excel function that performs a vertical lookup for a value in the leftmost column of a data set and returns a single value from another column, in the same row. The formula for the VLOOKUP function is as follows:
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
Let's look at the example below. Suppose you have a list of smartphone device models in the data set, and need to get some specific information from them.
You can use the VLOOKUP function to get additional information about the processors and their respective prices.
You can see detailed instructions on how to use the VLOOKUP function in Excel on WebTech360. Although VLOOKUP is one of the best functions in Excel and can help you simplify large data sets, it still has some limitations. For example, data needs to be sorted in ascending order for this formula to work.
How the XLOOKUP function works
XLOOKUP helps you perform horizontal and vertical information lookups to find a value in a spreadsheet. This function basically performs an array lookup. If a match is found, it returns the corresponding data from the second range (return_array).
This Excel function outperforms other lookup options when it comes to default precision. You can use the selection arguments in ([match_mode]) to specify the type of match values needed - an exact match, lower or higher, or a wildcard.
You can use the XLOOKUP function for many different purposes, including financial analysis, marketing and sales... The formula for the XLOOKUP function is as follows:
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])
Table comparing the difference between XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions
Above is the difference between two Excel functions: VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP. Hopefully this article helps you easily see which Excel function is suitable and better to use for data in your current spreadsheet.