Excel Formula: VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP Explained
If you're still using VLOOKUP, you might be living in the past. Microsoft's XLOOKUP is more powerful, flexible, and easier to use.
1. Why XLOOKUP is better
Unlike VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP doesn't care which column your data is in. It can search both to the left and the right, and it defaults to an exact match.
💡 Pro Tip:
XLOOKUP is available in Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021 or later. If you're using an older version, VLOOKUP is still your best friend.
XLOOKUP is available in Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021 or later. If you're using an older version, VLOOKUP is still your best friend.
2. Simple Syntax
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array). It's that simple!
3. Common Errors
If you see a #N/A error, it usually means the value wasn't found. Double-check your spelling or ensure there are no hidden spaces in your data cells.