Template · Spreadsheet skills
VLOOKUP exact-match worked example
Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks.
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XLSXCSVODSXMLNumbers| VLOOKUP exact-match worked example | |||
| Example data — replace the blue input cells with your own. | |||
| Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks. | |||
| Populated records | 3 | ||
| First record: Code occurrences | 1 | ||
| Selected allowance (USD) | $2,200.00 | ||
| Department code | OPS | ||
| 60 record rows. Blue cells are inputs; dark cells calculate. | |||
| Department code | Department | Allowance (USD) | Code occurrences |
| ENG | Engineering | $1,500.00 | 1 |
| OPS | Operations | $2,200.00 | 1 |
| FIN | Finance | $1,200.00 | 1 |
Showing the first 16 of 72 rows and 4 of 4 columns. Cells with formulas show the formula on hover.
| VLOOKUP exact-match worked example | |||
| Method, inputs, and limits for this workbook. | |||
| What it does | |||
| Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks. | |||
| How to use it | |||
| Replace the fictional records in blue cells with your own data. Keep the dark formula cells. Set department code in B8. Read the calculated columns and inspect the results before using them. Clear unused input rows; keep their formulas. Th… | |||
| Formulas and method | |||
| VLOOKUP searches the first column of A11:C70 and returns the third column with FALSE for exact match. COUNTIF checks the selected department before retrieving its allowance. | |||
| Assumptions and limits | |||
| VLOOKUP requires the key in the leftmost column and a stable return-column number. Keep department codes unique or use the explicit duplicate result to correct the table. | |||
| Missing numeric inputs |
Showing the first 16 of 72 rows and 4 of 4 columns. Cells with formulas show the formula on hover.
What does this template do?
Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks.
VLOOKUP searches the first column of A11:C70 and returns the third column with FALSE for exact match. COUNTIF checks the selected department before retrieving its allowance.
VLOOKUP requires the key in the leftmost column and a stable return-column number. Keep department codes unique or use the explicit duplicate result to correct the table.
The working tab keeps editable inputs separate from formulas, with room for 60 records. The Notes tab explains the method and how to extend the range. All example records are fictional and can be replaced. Download a workbook format to retain formulas, or CSV when you need calculated values only.
What’s inside
- VLOOKUP searches the first column of A11:C70 and returns the third column with FALSE for exact match. COUNTIF checks the selected department before retrieving its allowance.
- 60 prepared record rows with blank-row guards
- Blue input cells, typed dates and numbers, and frozen column headers
- Notes with the method, assumptions, and range-extension instructions
Which tabs does the workbook have?
| Tab | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Worksheet | Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks. |
| Notes | How to use the workbook, formula method, assumptions, and file format limits. |
What formulas does this template use?
This template holds 63 formulas in 103 cells across 2 tabs, so 61% of its cells calculate. They use 7 distinct functions; the longest formula is 217 characters.
| Function | Uses | What it does |
|---|---|---|
IF | 124 | one result when a test is true, another when false |
COUNTIF | 66 | counts cells meeting one condition |
COUNT | 60 | counts numeric cells |
COUNTA | 1 | counts non-empty cells |
FALSE | 1 | |
OR | 1 | true when any test is true |
VLOOKUP | 1 | looks a value up in a column |
Counted from the workbook itself. Only functions that Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets and Apple Numbers evaluate the same way are used, so the formulas survive every download format.
How do you use it?
- Replace the fictional records in blue cells with your own data. Keep the dark formula cells.
- Set department code in B8.
- Read the calculated columns and inspect the results before using them. Clear unused input rows; keep their formulas.
- The prepared range holds 60 records in rows 11–70. Extend formulas and summary ranges together if you add more rows.
What is it good for?
- Learn exact VLOOKUP by retrieving a department allowance from a keyed table with missing and duplicate-key checks
- Replacing the labeled fictional records with your own figures
- Checking a calculation before adapting it to a larger workbook
Questions about this sheet
How is the result calculated?
VLOOKUP searches the first column of A11:C70 and returns the third column with FALSE for exact match. COUNTIF checks the selected department before retrieving its allowance.
What assumptions should I check?
VLOOKUP requires the key in the leftmost column and a stable return-column number. Keep department codes unique or use the explicit duplicate result to correct the table.
Can I add more than 60 records?
Yes. Copy the formula columns into new rows and extend every summary range to include them. Keep inputs and formulas in their original columns.
Are the example records real?
No. All example data is fictional and intended to demonstrate the formulas. Replace it before using the workbook for your own work.