VLOOKUP in Excel | Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

About this video

This beginner Excel tutorial teaches VLOOKUP, the vertical lookup function, using a simple cookie price list. Kevin walks through building the formula step by step: start with an equals sign, add the lookup value you want to find, select the table array to search, specify the column index number that holds the value to return, and choose FALSE for an exact match. He shows the Insert Function helper for guidance, then demonstrates a common copying error where the table reference shifts down and returns an error. The fix is locking the table with F4 to create an absolute reference. He finishes with a more durable approach, converting the source data into a formatted Excel Table so the VLOOKUP reference automatically expands when rows are added or removed.

Key takeaways

• VLOOKUP needs lookup value, table array, column index, and FALSE for exact match
• Press F4 to lock a table reference as absolute before copying a formula down
• Relative references shift when copied and can cause #N/A errors
• Use the Insert Function helper to see what each argument requires
• Referencing a formatted Table makes the lookup survive added or removed rows

Episode details: published October 2, 2024 · 5:43 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Kevin Stratvert’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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