The HLOOKUP function in Excel makes it easier to find data located in a predefined table. The “H” in “HLOOKUP” stands for horizontal and refers to the first row of a table. The HLOOKUP function is particularly useful when working with large tables. It eliminates the need to spend a lot of time looking for specific values and provides a result much more quickly. We will explain step by step exactly how to use this practical Excel function for your own needs using a concrete example of HLOOKUP.
Many Excel users work with large amounts of data every day. Maintaining oversight or finding the right information quickly is time consuming and can result in errors. That is why the Microsoft program offers practical reference and lookup functions which can quickly produce the correct results. One such function is HLOOKUP which searches for specific values within a user-defined cell range. It starts the search on the left in the first cell and continues to the right until it reaches the end of the range defined in the function.
HLOOKUP can be used in many situations. For example, imagine that you are selling many different products and want to record your sales in a table at the end of the month. In this situation, it would be tedious to have to look up each product in a price list in order to enter their respective prices individually. Using the Excel HLOOKUP function, you can simply skip this step. The only requirement is that the products in your price list are arranged horizontally. If they are, Excel will enter the prices with the appropriate syntax on its own.
If the values in your table are arranged vertically instead of horizontally, you will need to use the VLOOKUP function. When you use this function, it will perform the search within a column going from top to bottom.
To use the HLOOKUP function, you need to understand its syntax and enter it correctly. As with any formula in Excel, even the slightest deviation will result in error messages and incorrect results. However, once you understand how its individual building blocks work, using it is straightforward and will make your work much easier. The following is the basic syntax for the HLOOKUP function in Excel:
=HLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, row_index_num, [range_lookup])The following is what each parameter means:
In Excel, you do not need to enter the HLOOKUP syntax manually into the formula bar. Using its formula builder, you can easily enter your important data. You will learn more about the individual steps to do so in the following example.
The HLOOKUP function in Excel is particularly useful when you want to look for a specific value in a large data set. This might be a directory with hundreds or thousands of entries. However, a simple example will be enough to get the basic idea across. The image below shows a price list and an input mask.
We now want to determine at what price item no. 102 is sold in cell B7. To do so, select the cell to be filled and click on “Formulas” -> “Lookup & Reference” -> “HLOOKUP”. The Excel formula builder will open automatically.
Now, click on “Insert Function” and fill in the entry fields as follows: The lookup_value is A7, which refers to item no. 102, and the table_array extends from B2 to E3. Since the value being looked up is in the second row of the table, the row_index_num is 2. The value under range_lookup is FALSE since only results that match exactly should be displayed.
When clicking “Done”, the price for the corresponding item number will appear in B7.
The HLOOKUP function in Excel can also be combined with other functions. For example, in the image below, the price for the corresponding quantity of items sold should be displayed.
Use the following formulas to multiply the contents of cells B7 and B8 by their corresponding values in the price list and display the results in C7 and C8:
Cell C7: =B7*HLOOKUP(A7;B2:E3;2;FALSE)
Cell C8: =B8*HLOOKUP(A8;B2:E3;2;FALSE)
If you want to add the two values together and display the result in C10, you can simply use the SUM function with the table_array defined as C7:C8.
What is COUNTIF? With Excel, Microsoft provides a helpful spreadsheet program. The application combines numerous functions – most of which many users are unaware of. It therefore makes all the more sense to learn more about it and use the program for more than just creating tables. The COUNTIF function helps you create statistics, for example. We explain clearly how to use COUNTIF correctly in...
When performing complex calculations in tables, you can quickly produce values that are not fit for everyday use because they have far too many decimal places. The ROUNDDOWN function in Excel can help with this. It uses a simple formula to simplify your workflow. You can use it to round down any number to the desired number of decimal places.
Excel offers over 400 useful functions. The AND function is one of the most popular ones. It allows you to check whether spreadsheet values meet certain conditions in just a few clicks. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to use Excel AND with the help of an example. We will also show you how to get the most out of Excel by combining it with the IF function.
Excel is the perfect tool for evaluating large sets of data in tables and precisely defining conditions. Excel’s logical operators are particularly useful in this connection. In this article, you’ll learn how the Excel “not equal to” sign works and how it can be used with functions like IF.
Excel is well-known for its helpful functions and features when it comes to managing and organizing large amounts of data. One of them is the relatively new XLOOKUP function, which makes it easier to search for specific values within a dataset. Learn how to use the XLOOKUP function in Excel and why it replaces functions like the VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP here.
Provide powerful and reliable service to your clients with a web hosting package from IONOS.
View packages