How to Lookup a Value Using Multiple Columns in Excel

There are times when the VLOOKUP Function will not return the value that you want to lookup. Suppose, for example, that you need to lookup the “Title” for an employee where the First Name and Last Name are in separate columns. A VLOOKUP() will not help you in this example. Let me show you how to accomplish this.

Key Concepts Covered

  • Use the “&” (Ampersand) to Join two cells that contain Text Values
  • Use the Index() and Match() Functions for the Lookup
  • Create an Array Formula to perform the Lookup – Use “Ctrl+Shift+Enter” with Array Formulas
  • Create and use “Named Cell Ranges” in your formulas to make it easier to enter and understand the formula

Be sure to check out all of the other Excel Video Lessons on Lookups. Click here to go to the Archive of Lookup Function Videos.

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How to Compare Two Excel Lists for Differences

Lists, lists, lists … It sometime seems that I am swimming in a sea of lists. Lists of customers, updated lists of customers, sales by week, sales for the current week, book lists, revised lists of books, etc. Lists seem to beget more lists and both beget problems – How to compare pairs of lists to avoid duplicates and redundancies!

If you can relate to this scenario, I know that you will enjoy this Excel Video Lesson.

Three Techniques Used in My Tutorial

1) Use the =MATCH() Function

2) Use the =VLOOKUP() Function

3) Use a Pivot Table in Excel 2007

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Simplify Data Lookups in Excel

In this Excel Video Lesson I demonstrate a great tip that dramatically simplifies data lookups!

Yes, learning how to use the Lookup Functions (VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, MATCH, INDEX) is important. But, there is an easier way to answer some simple questions about you data.

In this video, I show you how to use the combination of “Named Ranges” and the “Intersection Operator” – the SPACE – to return the value at the intersection of a specific column and specific row. This “tip” is guaranteed to save you time and simplify your data lookups!

Here are the steps to follow in this lesson:

  1. Create “Named Ranges” for your data set.
  2. Use the “Intersection Operator” – the SPACE – in your formula. e.g. =Region_2 Week_16
  3. It’s that simple!

NEW! Download the Excel file that I used in this video lesson:

simplify-data-lookups

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