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Data Analysis Intermediate Excel LOOKUP Functions LOOKUP Tips and Common Errors

Posted by Mark Chesney
Mark Chesney
11,747 Points

Excel VLOOKUP: range_lookup=TRUE instead of FALSE

Hi, so a question about range_lookup: if for example, in the Housing Units column, I set it to TRUE instead of FALSE, then I get a ton of repeated values. Any idea why this is? The bigger question I'm looking at is, when would I choose TRUE, since it seems like FALSE is the better option.

Thank you!

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,608 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,608 Points

You use range lookup when you want the closest answer. You'll get duplicates, but every lookup will have a "match".

When it's FALSE you only get a match when it is exact. That eliminates the duplicates but then any value not found will cause the lookup to fail.