How to do a reverse (left) lookup in Excel and Google Sheets

Excel & Google Sheets

=INDEX(A2:A5,MATCH(D2,B2:B5,0))

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1Identify the column containing the lookup value (e.g. column B) and the column with the result to the left (e.g. column A).
2Put the value to search for in a cell (e.g. D2).
3Enter =INDEX(A2:A5,MATCH(D2,B2:B5,0)).
4MATCH finds the row position of D2 in column B; INDEX returns the value at that row in column A.

INDEX MATCH is generally preferred over VLOOKUP even for right-side lookups, as it does not break when you insert or delete columns.
In Excel 365 and Google Sheets, XLOOKUP is even simpler for reverse lookups: =XLOOKUP(D2,B2:B5,A2:A5).

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Only with a workaround using CHOOSE to reorder the columns virtually: =VLOOKUP(D2,CHOOSE({1,2},B2:B5,A2:A5),2,0). INDEX MATCH is cleaner.

MATCH returns the first match. For the last match, use LOOKUP(2,1/(B2:B5=D2),A2:A5).

Written and reviewed by FormulaCraft Team. Each formula on this page is run through our verification engine before publishing.

Last reviewed: May 28, 2026