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Excel HLOOKUP Function

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HLOOKUP Function Syntax
Using the Excel HLOOKUP Function

Using the Excel HLOOKUP Function

© Ted French

Excel HLOOKUP Function Syntax:

=HLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,range_lookup)

lookup _value:
This argument is the value that is searched for in the first row of the table array. The lookup _value can be a text string, a logical value (TRUE or FALSE only), a number or a cell reference to a value.

table_array:
This is the range of data that the function searches to find your information. The table_array must contain at least two rows of data. The first row contains the lookup_values.

This argument is either a named range or a reference to a range of cells.

If you are using a reference to a range a cells, it is a good idea to use an absolute cell reference for the table_array.

If you do not use an absolute reference and you copy the HLOOKUP function to other cells, there is a good chance you will get error messages in the cells the function is copied to.

row_index_num:
For this argument, enter the row number of the table_array from which you want data returned from. For example:

  • if the row_index_num is 1, it returns a value from the first row of the table_array;
  • if the row_index_num is 2, it returns a value from the second row of the table_array.

range_lookup:
A logical value (TRUE or FALSE only) that indicates whether you want HLOOKUP to find an exact or an approximate match to the lookup_value.

  • If TRUE or if this argument is omitted, HLOOKUP will use an approximate match if it cannot find an exact match to the lookup_value. If an exact match is not found, HLOOKUP uses the next largest lookup_value.

  • If FALSE, HLOOKUP will only use an exact match to the lookup_value. If there are two or more values in the first column of table_array that match the lookup_value, the first value found is used. If an exact match is not found, an #N/A error is returned.

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