When it comes to managing and analyzing data in Google Sheets, there are many powerful tools and functions at your disposal. One of the most versatile and widely used functions is the VLOOKUP function. This function allows you to look up data in a table and return a value from another column based on a match. But what if you need to look up data between two Google Sheets? This is where things can get a bit more complicated, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll explore the process of VLOOKUPing between two Google Sheets. We’ll cover the basics of the VLOOKUP function, how to set it up, and some advanced tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this powerful function.
What is VLOOKUP?
The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to look up data in a table and return a value from another column based on a match. The function takes three arguments: the value to look up, the range of cells that contains the data, and the column number that contains the value you want to return.
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is as follows:
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| lookup_value | The value you want to look up in the table. |
| range | The range of cells that contains the data you want to look up. |
| index | The column number that contains the value you want to return. |
For example, if you have a table with the following data:
| Name | Age | City |
|---|---|---|
| John | 25 | New York |
| Jane | 30 | Los Angeles |
| Bob | 35 | Chicago |
You can use the VLOOKUP function to look up the city for a given name, like this:
This function looks up the value in cell A2 (John) in the first column of the range B:C, and returns the value in the second column (City) if a match is found. The result would be “New York”.
How to VLOOKUP Between Two Google Sheets?
So, how do you VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets? The process is similar to VLOOKUPing within a single sheet, but you’ll need to use a few extra steps to link the two sheets together.
Step 1: Set up the data
First, you’ll need to set up the data in both sheets. Make sure the data is organized in a way that makes sense for your VLOOKUP function. For example, if you’re looking up data by name, make sure the names are in a single column in both sheets. (See Also: How to Do Strikethrough on Google Sheets? Easy Steps)
Step 2: Create a link between the sheets
To VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets, you’ll need to create a link between the two sheets. You can do this by using the “IMPORTRANGE” function, which imports data from another sheet into your current sheet.
The syntax for the IMPORTRANGE function is as follows:
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| source_sheet | The name of the sheet that contains the data you want to import. |
| range | The range of cells that contains the data you want to import. |
For example, if you want to import data from a sheet called “Sheet1” in a spreadsheet called “My Spreadsheet”, you can use the following formula:
=IMPORTRANGE(“My Spreadsheet”, “Sheet1!A1:C10”)
This formula imports the data from cells A1:C10 in Sheet1 of the My Spreadsheet spreadsheet into your current sheet.
Step 3: Set up the VLOOKUP function
Now that you have a link between the two sheets, you can set up the VLOOKUP function. The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is the same as before, but you’ll need to use the IMPORTRANGE function to access the data in the other sheet.
For example, if you want to look up the city for a given name in the other sheet, you can use the following formula:
=VLOOKUP(A2, IMPORTRANGE(“My Spreadsheet”, “Sheet1!A1:C10”), 2, FALSE)
This formula looks up the value in cell A2 (John) in the first column of the range A1:C10 in Sheet1 of the My Spreadsheet spreadsheet, and returns the value in the second column (City) if a match is found. The result would be “New York”.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Here are a few advanced tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the VLOOKUP function when working between two Google Sheets: (See Also: Google Sheets How to Add Bullet Points? Mastering Productivity)
Using multiple criteria
When using the VLOOKUP function, you can use multiple criteria to narrow down the search. For example, you can use the VLOOKUP function to look up data based on both name and age.
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function with multiple criteria is as follows:
This formula looks up the value in cell A2 (John) in the first column of the range B:C, and returns the value in the second column (City) if a match is found. The additional argument D2 specifies the criteria for the search.
Using arrays
When using the VLOOKUP function, you can use arrays to return multiple values. For example, you can use the VLOOKUP function to return a list of cities for a given name.
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function with arrays is as follows:
This formula looks up the value in cell A2 (John) in the first column of the range B:C, and returns the values in the second column (City) if a match is found. The additional argument {D2:E2} specifies the range of cells that contains the criteria for the search.
Recap
In this article, we’ve covered the basics of the VLOOKUP function and how to use it to look up data between two Google Sheets. We’ve also covered some advanced tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this powerful function.
Here are the key points to remember:
- The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to look up data in a table and return a value from another column based on a match.
- To VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets, you’ll need to create a link between the two sheets using the IMPORTRANGE function.
- The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is the same as before, but you’ll need to use the IMPORTRANGE function to access the data in the other sheet.
- You can use multiple criteria to narrow down the search, and arrays to return multiple values.
FAQs
What is the VLOOKUP function?
The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that allows you to look up data in a table and return a value from another column based on a match.
How do I VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets?
To VLOOKUP between two Google Sheets, you’ll need to create a link between the two sheets using the IMPORTRANGE function. Then, you can use the VLOOKUP function to look up data in the other sheet.
What are some advanced tips and tricks for using the VLOOKUP function?
Some advanced tips and tricks for using the VLOOKUP function include using multiple criteria to narrow down the search, and arrays to return multiple values. You can also use the VLOOKUP function with other functions, such as the INDEX function, to create more complex formulas.
What are some common errors to avoid when using the VLOOKUP function?
Some common errors to avoid when using the VLOOKUP function include:
- Not specifying the range of cells that contains the data.
- Not specifying the column number that contains the value you want to return.
- Using the VLOOKUP function with a range that contains multiple values.
How do I troubleshoot issues with the VLOOKUP function?
To troubleshoot issues with the VLOOKUP function, you can try the following:
- Check the syntax of the VLOOKUP function to make sure it is correct.
- Verify that the data in the range specified in the VLOOKUP function is correct.
- Try using the VLOOKUP function with a different range or column number to see if the issue is specific to the current range or column.