How To Do XLOOKUP In Excel With Two Spreadsheets

Mastering the XLOOKUP function in Excel can streamline the process of searching for data across two spreadsheets, ensuring efficient data management and analysis. This function simplifies the retrieval of information by allowing users to specify the lookup value, the range to search, and the return range from a separate spreadsheet.

For those seeking to enhance productivity, we'll delve into the step-by-step method of utilizing XLOOKUP between different Excel files. We'll also discuss how Sourcetable offers a more user-friendly alternative for accomplishing these tasks, potentially saving time and reducing complexity.

How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel with Two Spreadsheets

Understanding XLOOKUP Functionality

XLOOKUP, introduced in Excel in February 2020, is a powerful function designed to match and combine data from two different spreadsheets. This function is an efficient replacement for older lookup functions, offering the ability to copy multiple columns, utilize wildcard characters for inexact matches, and return arrays, all without the need for the reference cell to be the first cell on the left.

Basic XLOOKUP Syntax

The basic format of the XLOOKUP function is =XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array), where only these three parameters are required to perform an exact match lookup. XLOOKUP can also accept three additional optional parameters to refine the search: [if not found], [match_mode], and [search_mode].

Performing XLOOKUP Across Sheets

To use XLOOKUP between two sheets, start by defining the value you wish to look up (lookup_value). Then, specify the range of cells containing possible matches (lookup_array) on the second sheet. Lastly, indicate the range of cells (return_array) where the corresponding data is to be retrieved from. If an exact match is not found, XLOOKUP can return a custom "not found" text, if specified.

Advanced XLOOKUP Parameters

For more complex searches, XLOOKUP's optional parameters [match_mode] and [search_mode] allow you to specify how matches are found and the direction of the search, respectively. Use [match_mode] for partial matches with wildcards and [search_mode] to change the default search order.

Benefits Over VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP

XLOOKUP surpasses VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP by not only looking from left-to-right but in any column direction, providing greater flexibility. It is more efficient than VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and the combination of INDEX and MATCH functions, making it the preferable choice for Excel users handling data across multiple sheets.

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