When it comes to managing and analyzing data in Google Sheets, one of the most powerful and versatile functions is the VLOOKUP. This function allows you to search for a value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column. However, when working with two separate Google Sheets, the VLOOKUP function can become even more complex. In this article, we will explore the steps to perform a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets.
Why is VLOOKUP Important?
The VLOOKUP function is a fundamental tool in data analysis, and its importance cannot be overstated. It allows you to quickly and easily retrieve data from a table, making it an essential function for anyone working with data in Google Sheets. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who needs to manage data, the VLOOKUP function is an indispensable tool in your toolkit.
Prerequisites for VLOOKUP Between Two Google Sheets
Before we dive into the steps for performing a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets, there are a few prerequisites that you should be aware of:
- You must have both Google Sheets open and active.
- You must have the data you want to search for in the first sheet.
- You must have the data you want to retrieve in the second sheet.
- You must have the VLOOKUP function enabled in your Google Sheet.
Step 1: Identify the Data You Want to Search For
The first step in performing a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets is to identify the data you want to search for. This data should be in the first sheet, and it should be in a column that you want to match with the data in the second sheet.
For example, let’s say you have a sheet called “Sheet1” that contains a list of employee names and their corresponding IDs. You want to search for the ID of an employee named “John Smith” and retrieve the corresponding department.
Step 1.1: Identify the Search Column
In this example, the search column would be the column containing the employee names. This column should be in the first sheet, and it should be the column that you want to match with the data in the second sheet.
Step 1.2: Identify the Search Value
In this example, the search value would be the name “John Smith”. This value should be in the same column as the search column, and it should be the value that you want to search for in the second sheet.
Step 2: Identify the Data You Want to Retrieve
The second step in performing a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets is to identify the data you want to retrieve. This data should be in the second sheet, and it should be in a column that corresponds to the search column in the first sheet. (See Also: How to Sort Duplicates in Google Sheets? Quickly & Easily)
For example, let’s say you have a sheet called “Sheet2” that contains a list of employee departments and their corresponding IDs. You want to retrieve the department of the employee with the ID “12345”.
Step 2.1: Identify the Return Column
In this example, the return column would be the column containing the employee departments. This column should be in the second sheet, and it should be the column that corresponds to the search column in the first sheet.
Step 2.2: Identify the Return Value
In this example, the return value would be the department “Sales”. This value should be in the same column as the return column, and it should be the value that you want to retrieve from the second sheet.
Step 3: Perform the VLOOKUP
The third step in performing a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets is to perform the VLOOKUP function. This function takes three arguments: the range of cells containing the search value, the range of cells containing the return value, and the range of cells containing the return column.
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is as follows:
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| range of cells containing the search value | The range of cells that contains the value you want to search for. |
| range of cells containing the return value | The range of cells that contains the value you want to retrieve. |
| range of cells containing the return column | The range of cells that contains the column you want to retrieve the value from. |
In this example, the VLOOKUP function would be:
VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet2!A:B, 2, FALSE) (See Also: How to Create Google Sheets and Share? Effortlessly Collaborate)
Where:
* A2 is the cell containing the search value (“John Smith”)
* Sheet2!A:B is the range of cells containing the return value and the return column
* 2 is the column index of the return column (in this case, the second column)
* FALSE is the boolean value indicating whether to search for an exact match (TRUE) or an approximate match (FALSE)
Step 4: Verify the Results
The final step in performing a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets is to verify the results. This involves checking that the VLOOKUP function has returned the correct value.
In this example, the VLOOKUP function should return the department “Sales” for the employee with the ID “12345”.
Recap
In this article, we have explored the steps to perform a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets. We have covered the importance of the VLOOKUP function, the prerequisites for performing a VLOOKUP, and the steps to identify the data you want to search for and retrieve. We have also covered the syntax for the VLOOKUP function and how to verify the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the VLOOKUP function?
The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to search for a value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column.
Q: How do I perform a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets?
To perform a VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets, you must first identify the data you want to search for and retrieve. You must then use the VLOOKUP function to search for the search value and return the corresponding value from the return column.
Q: What are the prerequisites for performing a VLOOKUP?
The prerequisites for performing a VLOOKUP are that you must have both Google Sheets open and active, you must have the data you want to search for in the first sheet, you must have the data you want to retrieve in the second sheet, and you must have the VLOOKUP function enabled in your Google Sheet.
Q: How do I verify the results of a VLOOKUP?
To verify the results of a VLOOKUP, you must check that the VLOOKUP function has returned the correct value. This involves checking that the VLOOKUP function has matched the search value with the correct return value.
Q: What are the benefits of using the VLOOKUP function?
The benefits of using the VLOOKUP function include the ability to quickly and easily retrieve data from a table, the ability to match values across multiple columns, and the ability to return multiple values from a single function.