The VLOOKUP function is a powerful one. When you combine it with the IF function, it can create a more dynamic formula
Final Formula
=VLOOKUP(7,A3:C27,IF(J3="Sales Rep",2,3),FALSE)
Figure 1 – Final result
Setting up the Data
First, we will setup our data so that the Lookup Array is Column A, the Return Arrays are Column B and Column C. Next, we’ll create a second table where Column E is the Lookup Array and the Return Arrays are Column F and Column G. Then, we will use cells I2:J4 as our Lookup tool where we will enter our formulas. Be sure to label the tables “Product 1” and “Product 2” in cells A1 and E1 respectively. We will reference these labels later in the tutorial
Figure 2 – Setting up the Data
Now that that we have the data setup we can walk through the formulas
Applying the IF formula Formula
The IF formula can be used to test for logic. If the specified logic test returns TRUE, then Excel will return a specified value. If FALSE, it will return a different specified value
IF Syntax:
=IF(Test Logic, Value if TRUE, Value if FALSE)
- In cell J2, enter this formula =IF(C3>G3,A1,E1)
Figure 3 – Applying the IF Formula
We can see in this example how the formula returns “Product 1” because C3 is greater than G3. If this wasn’t the case, the formula would have returned “Product 2”
Applying the VLOOKUP Formula
The VLOOKUP function allows us to lookup a specified value within a column of data and then return a value adjacent to the matching value
VLOOKUP Syntax:
=LOOKUP(Lookup Value, Table Array, Return Column, Approximate Match [TRUE/FALSE]
- Type the number 7 in cell J3
- In cell J4, type this formula =VLOOKUP(J3,A3:C27,2,FALSE)
Figure 4 – Applying the VLOOKUP Formula
We notice in this Example how the formula returns “Irene White because she has the 7th top ranking sales since we specified “7” for the Lookup Value to find in the Table Array
Nesting VLOOKUP Inside IF Function
There are two Main ways to nest the IF and VLOOKUP functions. We can either nest VLOOKUP within the IF function to change Table Arrays dynamically, or we can nest IF within the VLOOKUP function to change the variables within the VLOOKUP function First we will look at nesting the VLOOKUP inside of an IF function
IF (VLOOKUP) Syntax:
=IF(Test Logic,VLOOKUP 1, VLOOKUP 2)
- Delete the data in cell J4
- In cell J4 type this formula
=IF(J2="Product 1",VLOOKUP(J3,A3:C27,2,FALSE),VLOOKUP(J3,E3:G27,2,FALSE))
Figure 5 – Nesting VLOOKUP inside of IF Function – Product 1
We notice in this Example that the result is “Irene White” because she has the 7th rank sales and is located under the Product 1 table. If we type “Product 2” in cell J2, the result becomes “Tammy Hill”
Figure 6 – Nesting VLOOKUP inside of IF Function – Product 2
Nesting IF Inside VLOOKUP Function
Now we can look at nesting the IF function within the VLOOKUP formula
VLOOKUP(IF) Syntax:
=VLOOKUP(Lookup Value,Table Array,IF(Test Logic, Return Column 1, Return Column 2, Approximate Match [TRUE/FALSE])
- Delete the data in cell J3
- Type “Sales” in cell J3
- In cell J4, type this formula
=VLOOKUP(7,A3:C27,IF(J3="Sales Rep",2,3),FALSE)
Figure 7 – Nesting VLOOKUP inside of IF Function – Product 2
We notice in this example the formula looked at the Sales column because we specified it in the IF function. We then hard coded “7” as the lookup value. Therefore, the formula returned the sales for the 7th ranked sales rep. If we entered “Sales Rep” in J3, the formula would have returned “Irene White”
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Are you still looking for help with the VLOOKUP function? View our comprehensive round-up of VLOOKUP function tutorials here.
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