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🔎 Google Sheets lookup examples

Vlookup Examples in Google Sheets

Search the first column of a range and return a value from another column. This page gives a clear pattern, five practical examples and common mistakes to avoid.

Updated 2026-06-125 practical examplesCopy-ready formulas

Syntax or pattern

Search the first column of a range and return a value from another column.

=VLOOKUP(search_key, range, index, [is_sorted])
✍️

5 practical examples

1

Use VLOOKUP to find a product price

Return the matching product price from a lookup table.

=VLOOKUP(A2, range, index, [is_sorted])

Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.

2

Use VLOOKUP for employee details

Find a department, manager, or role from an employee ID.

=VLOOKUP(E2, range, index, [is_sorted])

Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.

3

Use VLOOKUP with a status table

Convert status codes into readable labels.

=VLOOKUP(B2, range, index, [is_sorted])

Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.

4

Use VLOOKUP to pull a category

Return a category for reporting and summaries.

=VLOOKUP(A2, range, index, [is_sorted])

Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.

5

Use VLOOKUP with imported data

Look up a value from an imported or shared tab.

=VLOOKUP(A2, range, index, [is_sorted])

Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using lookup ranges and return ranges with different row counts.
  • Leaving extra spaces in lookup values.
  • Forgetting a fallback value when a lookup can be missing.

Related Google Sheets examples

🔎 Xlookup🔎 Hlookup🔎 Index Match🔎 Match🟩 All Google Sheets examples

FAQ

What is this Google Sheets page for?

This page gives copy-ready examples for vlookup examples so you can understand the pattern and adapt it to real spreadsheet work.

Can I copy these formulas directly?

Yes. Use the copy buttons, then adjust sheet names, ranges, criteria and column references for your own file.

Why does my formula return an error?

The most common causes are mismatched ranges, missing quotes around text criteria, blank source data, or references that do not match your sheet layout.

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