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Andrews
Andrews

Posted on • Originally published at geekexcel.com on

How to Find the Approximate Match with VLOOKUP in Excel?

In most situations, the lookup value is a unique known identifier, so we can use the exact match to return the exact corresponding information in the same row. Sometimes, the lookup value is unknown, in this situation we can use an approximate match is used to find the closest or nearest match based on given the criteria. Here is the tutorial to find the approximate match with the VLOOKUP function in Excel Search Box. Let’s get into this article!! Get an official version of ** MS Excel** from the following link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/excel

Steps to find an approximate match:

Refer to the below image to know how to find an approximate match in Excel by using the search box.

  • For instance, In the data table below we need to find the grades of the students based on their scores.

Input Ranges
Input Ranges

  • We select the cell where the result to be displayed.
  • Click the “Formula” tab from the Ribbon.

Select the formula tab
Select the formula tab

  • Here, we will select the “Insert Function” option.

Insert Function
Insert Function

  • Search for “VLOOKUP” then select to “Go” option.

Search Vlookup
Search Vlookup

  • The VLOOKUP function will appear in the below box and click on the “OK” button.

Select Vlookup
Select Vlookup

  • Now, it will open the “Function Arguments” window. In the 1st box , you need to enter the lookup value which you want to be found.

Lookup Value
Lookup Value

  • In the 2nd box, we will select the data range from the worksheet.

Table Array
Table Array

  • The next box consists of the column number , where the lookup value will available.

Column Number
Column Number

  • In the last box, type “TRUE” to search the approximate matching value** [FALSE = Exact match], and click the “Ok”** button.

Approximate Match
Approximate Match

  • The result will display in the selected cell.
  • Finally, drag-down the result cell, it will display the results in all cells with a matching value.

Result
Result

Verdict:

That’s all. This is how we find the approximate match from the table by using the VLOOKUP function in the Excel Search box. Leave a comment or reply below – let me know what you think! To learn more about Excel, check out Geek Excel!!

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