XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP are both handy tools that help find specific information in a dataset. While VLOOKUP has been widely used for years, XLOOKUP, introduced in 2022, stands as a more advanced version. We'll explain how XLOOKUP is more flexible, works faster, and finds data more accurately than VLOOKUP.
Throughout this article, we'll show you the limitations of the current VLOOKUP function and highlight 5 advantages that XLOOKUP brings to the table. By the end, you'll understand better when to use each function in your spreadsheets.
VLOOKUP, an essential function in Google Sheets and Excel, stands for "Vertical Lookup" and is designed to search for a specific value in a table's first column, and then return a corresponding value in the same row from another column.
Let’s say that on one sheet “Lookup table” you have order IDs and statuses. And in another sheet “Main table” you also have order IDs with item names and their amounts.
If you want to pull the status for item 1001 from the “Lookup table” you use this formula for VLOOKUP:
=VLOOKUP(B3, 'Lookup table'!$B$3:$C$8, 2, FALSE)
In this formula:
Now you can drag the formula down to fill the rest of the cells in column E to get the status of every item in this table.
When using VLOOKUP, you might notice slower performance when dealing with datasets ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of rows. As the dataset gets bigger, VLOOKUP may become less efficient, leading to slower response times.
Also for a more detailed guide check out our article on Using VLOOKUP with IF Statement.
Fortunately, there is another function that overcomes those limitations. XLOOKUP easily handles two-way searches and manages large data without any difficulty. It simplifies complex tasks, making your work hassle-free.
The XLOOKUP formula is the following:
=XLOOKUP(search_key, lookup_range, result_range, [missing_value], [match_mode], [search_mode])
Example 1:
Let's say you have a list of items and their order IDs. You want to find the quantity sold for a particular item using XLOOKUP. Cell G2 contains the order ID you're searching for in this example. To find the amount, you'd use the formula:
=XLOOKUP(G2, B3:B8, D3:D8)
Example 2:
To get both the Item name and Amount based on the Order ID, you'd use the formula:
=XLOOKUP(B3, B6:A11, C6:C11)
By dragging this function horizontally into the next cell, you can get the amount of bananas under the ID 1003.
When deciding between XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP, think about how complex your tasks are. Here are a couple of points for making the right choice between XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP:
Evaluate your data structure and consider if your data needs to be retrieved vertically, horizontally, or both. If it's a mix of both, XLOOKUP might offer more flexibility due to its capability for bidirectional searches.
For simpler and traditional vertical data arrangements, where exact matching isn't the priority, and you're comfortable with the column index format, VLOOKUP might be enough. However, for more complex data structures or a need for exact matches, use XLOOKUP.
XLOOKUP is handy for finding data in spreadsheets, but it involves a lot of manual work. That can lead to mistakes, especially when handling a lot of data. If you're finding this process too tedious, it might be time to try a tool that automates data finding. That way, you can skip the hassles of the usual Google Sheet formulas, making data handling and analysis smoother and more reliable.
In Google Sheets, there's an array of useful formulas at your disposal, simplifying the task of data analysis.
If you're often dealing with Google Sheets and want better control over your data, consider using OWOX BI. This tool lets you easily create reports and graphs in Google Sheets by accessing data from Google BigQuery. With OWOX BI's free BigQuery Reports add-on, managing queries and transferring query results straight to Google Sheets is a breeze. It simplifies data handling, making your tasks smoother and more efficient.
In many cases, XLOOKUP is better as it's more flexible and has more features than VLOOKUP
XLOOKUP finds data in both rows and columns, shows multiple results, and handles errors better
XLOOKUP is good when you need to do advanced searches across both rows and columns, look for multiple results, avoid specifying exact match parameters, and handle errors more effectively
Yes, in most cases, XLOOKUP can replace VLOOKUP formulas. However, this might depend on specific situations and requirements. Transitioning to XLOOKUP can improve your spreadsheet functionality
If you're used to VLOOKUP or need to keep things simple, VLOOKUP might still be a good choice for basic searches