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How to return multiple values with VLOOKUP in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:VLOOKUPExcel & Google Sheets
=VLOOKUP(E2,$A$2:$C$5,2,0)Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Set up your lookup table with the key in the first column and additional data in subsequent columns.
- 2In your results area, type the lookup value in one cell (e.g. E2).
- 3In the next cell, enter =VLOOKUP(E2,$A$2:$C$5,2,0) to retrieve the second column.
- 4In the following cell, enter =VLOOKUP(E2,$A$2:$C$5,3,0) to retrieve the third column.
- 5Repeat with increasing column index numbers for each additional field you need.
Tips
- Always use 0 (or FALSE) as the fourth argument for exact match unless you intentionally want approximate matching.
- For large datasets where performance matters, consider using INDEX MATCH or XLOOKUP (Excel 365/Google Sheets) instead of repeated VLOOKUP calls.
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Frequently asked
Is there a way to return all columns in one formula?
In Excel 365 and Google Sheets, use XLOOKUP with a return array spanning multiple columns. In older Excel, you must write a VLOOKUP for each column.
Why does VLOOKUP require the key in the first column?
VLOOKUP always searches the leftmost column of the lookup range. If your key is not in the first column, use INDEX MATCH instead, which is not restricted by column position.
More on VLOOKUP
See all →Reference
VLOOKUP
Look up a value in the first column of a range and return a value from another column in the same row.
How-toHow to VLOOKUP from another sheet
Pull a value from a different tab with VLOOKUP by prefixing the range with the sheet name. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix #N/A
Fix #N/A errors in VLOOKUP in Excel and Google Sheets — covers missing matches, extra spaces, data-type mismatches, and range mistakes.
How-toHow to VLOOKUP with multiple criteria
Look up a value that matches two or more conditions using INDEX/MATCH with joined keys. Works in Excel 365 and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix Wrong value
VLOOKUP returns an incorrect value in Excel and Google Sheets — fix wrong column index, approximate match mode, unsorted data, and duplicate lookup keys.
How-toHow to fix VLOOKUP returning #N/A
VLOOKUP shows #N/A when it can’t find a match. Here are the real causes — exact-match, spaces, text-vs-number — and how to fix each.