difference between vlookup and hlookup
The difference between VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP is a common question among Excel users. Both functions are used to search for values in a table and return a corresponding value, but they differ in the direction in which they search and the arrangement of the data. In this article, we will discuss the key differences between these two functions.
VLOOKUP
VLOOKUP, which stands for Vertical Lookup, searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value in the same row from a specified column. It is commonly used when the lookup column is at the top of the table. The syntax for VLOOKUP is as follows:
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VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
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– `lookup_value`: The value you want to search for in the first column of the table.
– `table_array`: The range of cells containing the data.
– `col_index_num`: The column number in the table from which you want to retrieve the value.
– `[range_lookup]`: Optional. It can be TRUE for an approximate match or FALSE for an exact match.
HLOOKUP
HLOOKUP, which stands for Horizontal Lookup, searches for a value in the first row of a table and returns a value in the same column from a specified row. It is used when the lookup row is at the left of the table. The syntax for HLOOKUP is similar to VLOOKUP:
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HLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, row_index_num, [range_lookup])
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– `lookup_value`: The value you want to search for in the first row of the table.
– `table_array`: The range of cells containing the data.
– `row_index_num`: The row number in the table from which you want to retrieve the value.
– `[range_lookup]`: Optional. It can be TRUE for an approximate match or FALSE for an exact match.
Direction of Search
The primary difference between VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP is the direction in which they search for values. VLOOKUP searches vertically, while HLOOKUP searches horizontally. This makes VLOOKUP suitable for tables where the lookup column is at the top, and HLOOKUP suitable for tables where the lookup row is at the left.
Data Arrangement
Another difference between VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP is the arrangement of the data. VLOOKUP requires the lookup column to be at the top of the table, while HLOOKUP requires the lookup row to be at the left of the table. This makes VLOOKUP more flexible when dealing with tables with a large number of rows, as it can search for values in the first column without having to rearrange the data.
Summary
In summary, the difference between VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP lies in the direction of search and the arrangement of the data. VLOOKUP is used for vertical searches and requires the lookup column to be at the top, while HLOOKUP is used for horizontal searches and requires the lookup row to be at the left. Both functions are powerful tools in Excel, and understanding their differences can help you choose the right one for your data analysis needs.
