Quick answer
Perform a simple approximate lookup in sorted data.
=LOOKUP(A2,E:E,F:F)Example data layout
Use a small table first, confirm the result, then copy the formula down the column.
| Input | Helper value | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | B2 | Formula result |
| A3 | B3 | Copied formula result |
Copy-paste examples
Beginner
Basic LOOKUP example
=LOOKUP(A2,E:E,F:F)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Beginner
LOOKUP copied down rows
=LOOKUP(A3,E:E,F:F)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
LOOKUP with clean fallback
=IFERROR(LOOKUP(A2,E:E,F:F),"")Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Intermediate
LOOKUP with structured references
=LOOKUP([@Input],E:E,F:F)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
LOOKUP with dynamic data
=LOOKUP(A2,Lookup[Key],Lookup[Result])Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Advanced
LOOKUP inside a report formula
=LET(result,LOOKUP(A2,E:E,F:F),result)Adjust the cell references to match your worksheet layout.
Step-by-step tips
- Paste the formula into the first result cell.
- Replace sample references like A2, B2, or Table1 with your real cells or table columns.
- Test the formula on two or three rows before copying it down.
- Format the result column as Number, Date, Currency, or Percentage when needed.
- Keep a backup copy of your original data before applying formulas across a large range.
Common mistakes
- Using text values where Excel expects numbers or dates.
- Forgetting quotation marks around text criteria.
- Copying a formula without locking fixed references using dollar signs.
- Applying the wrong number format and thinking the formula is wrong.