Introduction to Lookups: CHOOSE
CHOOSE
- retrieve a value from a list based on a given numeric value- do alookup from a very finite list
=CHOOSE([@[Loc Code]],$K$6,$K$7,$K$8,$K$9,$K$10)
CHOOSE
1st argument -> index number- The values in the CHOOSE function need to be listed individually, separated by a comma. This can take a long time to set up when you have lots of values.
Approximate Matches: Range VLOOKUP
- press
F4
to make them absolute =VLOOKUP(D4,$G$4:$H$7,2)
- The lookup data set that the table_array points to should be listed from smallest to largest, the range should be referred to with absolute references, and headings should not be included.
Exact Matches: Exact Match VLOOKUP
- exact matches - false
=VLOOKUP([@Item],'International Price List'!A5:$E$1254,3,FALSE)
- VLOOKUP with Table (more automation)
=VLOOKUP([@Item],parts,3,FALSE)
or=VLOOKUP([@Item],parts,3,0)
- Q: When is it appropriate to use an exact match VLOOKUP?
- A: When you are dealing with a lookup value with a unique identifier, such as bank account numbers, and you want to match to a vertical table.
Finding a Position: MATCH
MATCH
- miniature of VLOOKUP (don't need to worry about horizontal or vertical)- dragging will get relative references
=VLOOKUP([@Item],parts,E$4,FALSE)
- paste formulas
Dynamic Lookups: INDEX, MATCH
=INDEX(Discounts,3,2)
- INDEX with MATCH function (automation)
=INDEX(Discounts,MATCH(C11,Discount_Categories,0),MATCH(D11,Customer_Categories,0))
![]screenshot/index-with-match.gif)
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Discount Category (A, B, C, D) with Customer Category (Bronze, Silver...)
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=MATCH(I3,Customer_Categories,0)
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=INDEX(Discounts,MATCH([@Category],Discount_Categories,0),$I$4)
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MATCH function - returns the position of a lookup value in the lookup array
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INDEX function - returns the value
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The INDEX MATCH can do horizontal and vertical lookups at the same time.
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MATCH is used to define the second and/or third argument, i.e., the row or column parameter, of the INDEX function. By using MATCH instead of defining this manually, the function becomes a lot more versatile and automated.