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✍️ Excel lookup examples

HLOOKUP Examples in Excel

Learn HLOOKUP examples for horizontal lookup tables, monthly headers and simple cross-row lookups.

Updated 2026-06-125 practical examplesCopy-ready

What it does

HLOOKUP searches across the first row of a table and returns a value from a lower row.

Syntax or pattern

=HLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, row_index_num, [range_lookup])
✅

5 practical examples

1

Find a value by month header

Look across month names and return a sales value.

=HLOOKUP(B1, $B$1:$M$5, 3, FALSE)

This works when months are arranged horizontally.

2

Return a target by quarter

Find the target for the selected quarter.

=HLOOKUP(A2, Targets, 2, FALSE)

Useful for compact planning sheets.

3

Use HLOOKUP with IFERROR

Hide errors when the header is missing.

=IFERROR(HLOOKUP(B1, $B$1:$M$5, 3, FALSE), "Missing month")

A friendly message makes the sheet easier to understand.

4

Approximate horizontal lookup

Find a grade or band from horizontal breakpoints.

=HLOOKUP(A2, GradeTable, 2, TRUE)

Approximate mode needs sorted breakpoints.

5

Return a cost by product header

Look up a product across columns and return the cost row.

=HLOOKUP(D2, ProductMatrix, 4, FALSE)

Best for small horizontal matrices.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using HLOOKUP when the table should be vertical.
  • Forgetting that the lookup row must be the top row.
  • Using approximate matching accidentally.

Related Excel examples

XLOOKUP Examples in ExcelMATCH Examples in ExcelINDEX MATCH Examples in Excel📊 All Excel examples

FAQ

Is HLOOKUP still useful?

Sometimes, but XLOOKUP often replaces it in modern workbooks.

💡 Useful resources

Here are some ideas for you

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