How To Do Vlookup To Left in Excel?

For using the reverse lookup or VLOOKUP to the left, two functions can be nested in the VLOOKUP function to find the values for a reference cell on the left column of the data table. They are:

  • If Function in ExcelIf Function In ExcelIF function in Excel evaluates whether a given condition is met and returns a value depending on whether the result is “true” or “false”. It is a conditional function of Excel, which returns the result based on the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of the given criteria.
  • read moreChoose Function in ExcelChoose Function In ExcelChoose Function returns a value from the list of values in a given range. This function takes two mandatory arguments: the index number and the first value. The other values are optional to mention.read more

In the above functions, we create an array data table and make Excel assume that the data on the left column is actually on the right column and find the exact match.

Method #1 – Vlookup Left in Excel Using IF Function

Usually, in the VLOOKUP function, we search for values from left to right in a data table by the normal VLOOKUP function. It is impossible to search for a specific value from right to left. But in Excel, there are some tricks we can use to do that search.

In the above formula, we have created an Excel array of two tables: ID and names. We are taking relative reference in excelRelative Reference In ExcelIn Excel, relative references are a type of cell reference that changes when the same formula is copied to different cells or worksheets. Let’s say we have =B1+C1 in cell A1, and we copy this formula to cell B2 and it becomes C2+D2.read more of ID, searching them against the names from our array, and showing the exact match from the second column.

  • Consider the following data below. We have data for some employees and their employee IDs with their department names. In cell F2, we want to find the employee’s name concerning the employee ID. If the data for the employee name were on the right side of the “ID” column, we would have used the simple VLOOKUP function to find the value. In cell F2, write the following formula. We will explain later about this function, but to see the result, press the “Enter” key and see the result. Now, drag the formula to cell F6 and see the result below.

We have data for some employees and their employee IDs with their department names. In cell F2, we want to find the employee’s name concerning the employee ID. If the data for the employee name were on the right side of the “ID” column, we would have used the simple VLOOKUP function to find the value.

In the above formula, we are tricking Excel into believing that an A column is a second.

Method #2 – Vlookup Left in Excel Using Choose Function

Similar to what we did with the IF function, we can choose the function to find values using a LOOKUP function to the left of the data table. For the demonstration purpose, we will take the same data above and make some slight changes to the data. Have a look at the data below.

This time, we will find the department name concerning the ID provided.

In cell F2, write the following formula.

Again, we will explain the use of the function in detail below. But first, press the “Enter” key to watch the result.

Drag the formula to cell F6 and see the final result.

In the above example, we used the CHOOSE function nested in VLOOKUP to find the value on the right of the cell. Let me explain the choose function in detail:

  • {1,2} This is the array created for the Data Table.We selected the data from the B column in the first column, which is our relative reference.In the second column, we chose the data from the A column, which is the data we want.In our formula, the “Name” column is the first column on the left, and the “ID” column is the second column on the right.Using the choose function, we used the VLOOKUP function to find the data from right to left.It is also known as the reverse lookup in excelLookup In ExcelThe LOOKUP excel function searches a value in a range (single row or single column) and returns a corresponding match from the same position of another range (single row or single column). The corresponding match is a piece of information associated with the value being searched.
  • read more.

This article is a guide to VLOOKUP to the Left in Excel. Here, we discuss using the VLOOKUP function from right to left in Excel using 1) IF function and 2) CHOOSE function, along with practical examples and a downloadable Excel template. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles: –

  • VLOOKUP in Excel Pivot TableVLOOKUP In Excel Pivot TableTo use VLOOKUP in a pivot table, select the reference cell as the lookup value, and for the table array arguments, select the data in the pivot table, then identify the column number that has the output, and then give the command based on the close match.read moreVLookup Function with IFVLOOKUP from Another WorkbookVLOOKUP From Another WorkbookVlookup is a function that can be used to refer to columns on the same sheet or from another worksheet or workbook. A different workbook or worksheet is used to select the table array and index number.read moreVLOOKUP ErrorsVLOOKUP ErrorsThe top four VLOOKUP errors are - #N/A Error, #NAME? Error, #REF! Error, #VALUE! Error.read more