Excel HLOOKUP function with formula examples
Microsoft Excel's HLOOKUP function: A comprehensive guide
Excel offers three lookup functions – LOOKUP, VLOOKUP, and HLOOKUP – but HLOOKUP often causes confusion. This tutorial clarifies HLOOKUP's specifics and provides examples for efficient use.
What is HLOOKUP?
HLOOKUP performs horizontal lookups. It searches for a value in a table's first row and returns a corresponding value from a specified row in the same column. Available in all Excel versions (2007 and later).
HLOOKUP Syntax and Usage
HLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, row_index_num, [range_lookup])
- lookup_value: The value to search for (cell reference, number, or text).
- table_array: The data range (range, named range, or table) containing the lookup value in its first row.
-
row_index_num: The row number within
table_array
from which to return the value (e.g., 2 for the second row). -
range_lookup: (Optional) Logical value specifying exact or approximate match.
TRUE
(or omitted) for approximate match;FALSE
for exact match. Approximate match requires the first row oftable_array
to be sorted ascendingly.
Illustrative Example
Imagine a table with planetary data (see image below). To find a planet's diameter given its name in cell B5:
The formula would be:
=HLOOKUP(B5, B2:I3, 2, FALSE)
-
lookup_value
: B5 (planet name) -
table_array
: B2:I3 (data table) -
row_index_num
: 2 (diameter row) -
range_lookup
: FALSE (exact match)
Key Considerations for HLOOKUP
- HLOOKUP searches only the first row of
table_array
. - HLOOKUP is case-insensitive.
- For approximate matches (
TRUE
or omitted), the first row must be sorted ascendingly.
HLOOKUP vs. VLOOKUP
Both search for values, but VLOOKUP searches vertically (leftmost column), while HLOOKUP searches horizontally (topmost row).
Advanced HLOOKUP Examples
-
Approximate vs. Exact Match: The previous example showed an exact match. An approximate match (using
TRUE
or omitting the last argument) finds the closest value if an exact match isn't found (requires sorted data). -
Lookup from Another Worksheet/Workbook: Use external references. For example, from a sheet named "Diameters":
=HLOOKUP(B$1, Diameters!$B$1:$I$2, 2, FALSE)
For workbooks, include the path:
=HLOOKUP(B$1, '[Book1.xlsx]Diameters'!$B$1:$I$2, 2, FALSE)
-
Partial Match (Wildcards): Use
?
(any single character) and*
(any sequence of characters). For example:=HLOOKUP("ace*", B1:I2, 2, FALSE)
(finds values starting with "ace")
Cell References in HLOOKUP
Use absolute references ($
) for table_array
to prevent changes when copying the formula. lookup_value
references are usually relative or mixed depending on the context.
INDEX/MATCH: A Superior Alternative
INDEX/MATCH offers greater flexibility than HLOOKUP, allowing lookups from any row or column. A general formula is:
INDEX(return_range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, 0))
Case-Sensitive HLOOKUP
HLOOKUP is not case-sensitive. For case sensitivity, use an array formula combining INDEX, MATCH, and EXACT:
{=INDEX(B2:I2, MATCH(TRUE, EXACT(B1:I1,B4),0))}
(Ctrl Shift Enter to enter as an array formula)
Troubleshooting HLOOKUP Errors
Common issues include:
- Looking above the first row.
- Incorrect
range_lookup
usage. -
table_array
reference changes upon copying. - Row insertions/deletions affecting row index numbers.
- Duplicate values in the lookup range.
- Extra spaces in data.
- Numbers formatted as text.
- Lookup values exceeding 255 characters.
- Missing full path to external workbooks.
- Incorrect arguments.
This comprehensive guide should help you effectively utilize the HLOOKUP function in Excel. Remember that INDEX/MATCH offers a more robust and flexible solution for many lookup scenarios.
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