How to Use the Lookup Function in Excel

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Last Updated: March 28, 2023

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Whenever you keep track of data in spreadsheets, there'll come a time when you want to find information without having to scroll through endless columns or rows. We'll show you how to use Microsoft Excel's LOOKUP function to find a value from one row or column in a different row or column. If you're looking to do a reverse Vlookup, check out How to Do a Reverse Vlookup in Google Sheets.

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1. 
   1
   Create a two column list toward the bottom of the page. In this example, one column has numbers and the other has random words.
2. 
   2
   Decide on cell that you would like the user to select from, this is where a drop down list will be.
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3. 
   3
   Once you click on the cell, the border should darken, select the DATA tab on the tool bar, then select VALIDATION.
4. 
   4
   A pop up should appear, in the ALLOW list pick LIST.
5. 
   5
   Now to pick your source, in other words your first column, select the button with the red arrow.
6. 
   6
   Select the first column of your list and press enter and click OK when the data validation window appears, now you should see a box with an arrow on, if you click on it your list should drop down.
7. 
   7
   Select another box where you want the other information to show up.
8. 
   8
   Once you clicked that box, go to the INSERT tab and FUNCTION.
9. 
   9
   Once the box pops up, select LOOKUP & REFERENCE from the category list.
10. 
    10
    Find LOOKUP in the list and double-click it, another box should appear click OK.
11. 
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    For the lookup_value select the cell with the drop down list.
12. 
    12
    For the Lookup_vector select the first column of your list.
13. 
    13
    For the Result_vector select the second column.
14. 
    14
    Now whenever you pick something from the drop down list the info should automatically change.
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• Whenever you are completed you can change the font color to white, to make the list hidden.
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• Save your work constantly, especially if the list is extensive
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• Make sure when you are in the DATA VALIDATION window (Step 5) the box labeled IN-CELL DROPDOWN is checked
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