Can you please explain vlookups for me again | Excel forum

Hi Stephen, Thank you for your post, In reply;
Syntax is: VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num [,range_lookup])
Returns the value in a given column that matches a value in the left most column of a table. An example of the formula would be; =VLOOKUP(A1,B2:G25,3,FALSE)

1.lookup_value; This value will be found in the first column of the array.
2.table_array; The cell range or a range name containing the table of data to be matched.
3.col_index_num; The column number for the value you want returned.
4.range_lookup; True or False to specify whether to find an approximate or exact match
This function should be used when you want to lookup a matching value in a particular column of a table and then return a value in the corresponding row.
This function cannot return values that are to the left of the lookup column.
This function is not case sensitive when searching for text strings. Uppercase and lowercase text is equivalent. The "lookup_value" can be a number, text, logical value, or a name or reference that refers to one of these;
1.If "lookup_value" is text, then it can also include the two wildcard characters ( * ) and ( ? ).
2.If "lookup_value" is smaller than the smallest value in the first column of "table_array", then #N/A is returned.
3.If "lookup_value" cannot be found and "range_lookup" is TRUE, it uses the largest value that is less than the "lookup_value".
4.If "table_array" contains duplicate values then the results are based on the first match found.
5.If "col_index_num" = 1, the first column value in "table_array" is used.
6.If "col_index_num" = 2, the second column value in "table_array" is used.
7.If "col_index_num" < 1, then #VALUE! is returned.
8.If "col_index_num" > the number of columns in table_array, then #REF! is returned.
9.If "col_index_num" is not numeric, then #VALUE! is returned.
10.If "range_lookup" = True, then an approximate match is returned. In other words, if an exact match is not found, the next largest value that is less than "lookup_value" is returned.
11.If "range_lookup" = True, then the values must be sorted into ascending order -1, 0, 1, A-Z, FALSE, TRUE, otherwise the function will not return the next largest value.
12.If "range_lookup" = False, then an exact match will be found. If one is not found, then #N/A is returned.
13.If "range_lookup" = False, then "table_array" does not need to be sorted.
14.If "range_lookup" is left blank, then True is used.

Note: This function will only return values less than 256 characters long. If the matching value is more than 255 characters, then #N/A is returned.

I hope that has helped, if so please click the Resolved link, best regards Pete