How to Get the nth Match with VLOOKUP in Excel

We can get the nth match of a data with the VLOOKUP function. This can help us to organize data so that if we are looking for a value, it will be displayed. The steps below will walk through the process.

Figure 1: Result of the nth match with VLOOKUP

General formula

=VLOOKUP(id_formula,table,4,0)

Formula

=VLOOKUP(id&"-"&I6,data,4,0)

Setting up The Data

We will input the data as shown in figure 2 into the respective columns and cells.

Figure 2: Setting up the data to get the nth match with VLOOKUP

Setting up the Helper Column

• We will click on Cell B4
• We will insert the formula below into Cell B4

=D4&"-"&COUNTIF($D$4:D4,D4)

• We will click on enter

Figure 3: Setting up the Helper Column to get the nth match with VLOOKUP

• We will use the drop-down feature to complete the values for the helper column

Figure 4: Setting up the Helper Column to get the nth match with VLOOKUP

Finding the Nth Match

• We will click on Cell J6
• We will insert the formula below into Cell J6

=VLOOKUP(J3&"-"&I6,B4:G11,4,0)

Figure 5: Finding the nth match with VLOOKUP

• We will click on enter

Figure 6: Finding the nth match with VLOOKUP

• We will input the formula below into Cell J7 and repeat the steps

=VLOOKUP(J3&"-"&I7,B4:G11,4,0)

Figure 7: Result of the nth match with VLOOKUP

Explanation 

• Helper Column

We use the helper column to construct an identity that includes the count. The formula we used to create the helper column from the steps builds a unique lookup value based on the worker ID and a counter that detects the number of times the unique ID has been displayed in the data table.

• COUNTIF Function

The COUNTIF function is used to generate a running count of the ID in the data. For instance, Cell B4 and Cell B10 is an example of a running count.   

• VLOOKUP Function

VLOOKUP is used for getting values from the table, taking into cognizance the “nth” occurrence.

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Are you still looking for help with the VLOOKUP function? View our comprehensive round-up of VLOOKUP function tutorials here.