XLookup Function is an effective tool in Excel that makes the task of data finding easier for users. Professionals whose daily work involves using Excel for various purposes can utilize this tool to sort and find the data in large worksheets. Thus, tracking the information gets much smoother and faster with this function.
Learning to use this tool will increase your working efficiency through a quick search of the required data. So, now, without taking much time, let’s get into the process of using the XLookUP tool and other related aspects, including the XLookUP formula, steps of usage, arguments, benefits, etc.
Understanding the XLookup Function in Excel
XLookup is a useful tool in Excel that allows you to find the information in vertical and horizontal ranges of the complex data sheets. Required information can also be displayed in a nonadjacent cell. To use this, users are required to apply the formula, and based on the entered information in the formula, it will show the specific value. If it doesn’t give the exact result, it will give the closest value. Through Functions like VLookup (vertical lookup) or HLookup (horizontal lookup), you can only move from right to left, however, the XLookup tool utilizes more than one search standard and gives partial matches.
XLookup Formula
Formula to perform XLookup function is as follows, XLookUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])

Steps to use XLookup in Excel
To find the data in your Excel spreadsheet, you are required to use the formula by including the arguments. Here are the simple steps you are required to follow to use XLookup in your Excel spreadsheet:
- Firstly open the Excel application and enter the spreadsheet where you want to use the XLookup function.

- Then, choose the cell to apply the XLookup Excel formula.

- Enter “=” into that selected cell and then type “XLookup.” Then, tap on the “XLookup” option that shows in the dropdown.

- A parenthesis will appear. Type the required arguments, lookup_value, lookup_array, and return_array, in an appropriate order after the opening bracelet. For this, choose the array of cells for every argument and enter a comma before you shift on to the next argument.

- In case, you want to use optional arguments, use them after the required arguments.
- After entering all the XLookup arguments, add a closing parenthesis and then press enter.
- The desired value of the XLookup will be displayed in the cell where you applied the function.

Required Arguments in XLookUP
XLookup Formula is the accumulation of various arguments. Few are optional, few are required to apply the lookup function. Here you can get the list of required arguments.
- Lookup_value: It is the figure you are looking for in an array or range.
- Lookup_array: It involves a range of cells, where your return value is featured.
- Return_array: The range of cells where your function will search for your desired value.
Simplified form of the XLookup Function
=XLookUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array)
Optional arguments in XLookup Function
There are other optional arguments you need to enter in the XLookup formula, that can be utilized for more complicated sheets and to filter the data to get the coveted value.
- Match_mode: Here, you specified the function about your wanted match kind. For an exact match, enter 0, for the approximate match in the next smaller value, enter -1 and for getting an approximate match with the next bigger value, enter 1 and to to get partial matches using wildcards, enter 2. Ready To Publish
- Search_mode: Through this argument, specification is made to the function related to the search from left to right or vice versa. Besides, you can define how the function should look for the lookup range.
- To find the range from top to bottom, enter 1.
- To search the range from bottom to top, enter -1
- To perform a binary search in ascending order, enter 2.
- For binary search in descending order, enter -2.
- If_not_found: Through this argument, the user indicates the function about the retrieved value in case no match is found. If the argument is not specified in the formula, it will show a #N/A error in the result.
XLookup function with optional arguments
After including optional arguments, the XLookup formula looks like this:
=XLookUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])
The Benefits of XLookup in Excel
XLook up helps you find the information without changing the positions of the data. There are many benefits of using XLookup in Excel, as mentioned below.
- Time efficient: Using this tool will remove the burden of manually scrolling through the rows and columns of the data sheet. By entering the formula, you can easily find your desired match.
- Flexible: Like the other look-up functions, XLookup is dynamic, like you can use wildcard characters to find partial matches.
- Reduction of errors: Through this function, you can find the data that is spelled wrong, thus lessening the scope of making mistakes.
- Simple arguments: In comparison with VLookup, arguments of XLookup are simpler, allowing users to quickly use XLookup defaults to get a correct match, unlike VLookup arguments where you are required to make specifications.
- Functional aspects: The functionality of XLookup is more advanced as it can retrieve multiple results at the same time. Thus, you can search for any particular data to the left and the right of a lookup value to generate multiple results.
- Default search mode: In XLookup, an exact match is utilized as the default search mode, whereas in other search functions on Excel, you will have to indicate it specifically.
Essential practices for using XLookup in Excel
While using XLookup in Excel, there are a few practices you should execute to get the most out of the tool.
- Descriptive ranges: Instead of using general ranges, prefer using descriptive references for the cells. Through descriptive references, your formula can be modified with no complexity as you can have a better understanding of the original formula. Besides, it is beneficial if you want to share the spreadsheet with a new user to make him understand the formula references easily.
- Exact match: As the tool is integrated with an exact match default in the formula, it eliminates the possibility of getting unintended retrieved values, unlike wildcard characters.
- Similar ranges: It is advisable to use the same number of cells for the return_array and the look_up array arguments because otherwise, you can get an error, and the value retrieved by the Excel in the cell is #VALUE.
- Check your formula: Resolving problems in the simple XLookup is not difficult. However, in the case of XLookup usage in correspondence with other formulas, you must check each step throughout the process. If an error is generated, going backward and analyzing the function will be a complex task.
Necessary Tips to remember:
- Use the X LOOKUP formula between workbooks that will allow you to search the data quickly and with less difficulty.
- Do the binary search while dealing with large data sheets to expedite the data-finding process.
- Take your cursor over “=XLookUP if you want to see the whole formula, including the labels for all arguments of the formula.
XLookUP function vs VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions
If you want to search for any information from complex data sheets in Excel, LOOKUP, VLOOKUP, and HLOOKUP functions are useful. However, there are a few limitations in the VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions, which makes it necessary to use the XLookUP function. Through the XLookUP function, you can search the data in the spreadsheet with easily customized queries.
VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
If you want to get single results from datasets in an Excel sheet, VOOKUP and HLOOKUP are the best tools to use. However, as the name of these functions refers, VLOOKUP (or vertical lookup) and HLOOKUP (horizontal lookup) formulas allow you to find data on either the left or right of values. Thus it offers limited scope when it comes to searching for the data in complex spreadsheets.
XLookUP
The limitations of VLOOK UP and HLOOKUP can be covered through functions of INDEX and MATCH however these functions are not as effective as XLookUP. Through XLookUP, you can search for any information in columns and rows to the left and right of your search value. Additionally, correct matches, multiple search values, nested queries, custom error messages, etc. are its exclusive features, making it a powerful tool for both simple and complex sheets.
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FAQs
Q.1. What is the XLookUP Formula?
A.1. The XLookUP formula is XLookUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]). Through this formula, you can search for any information in the data sheets of the Excel with customized queries.
Q.2. How to use XLookUP formula in Excel?
A.2. To use XLookUP Formula in Excel, get into the Excel app and open the datasheet you want to find data in. Select the cell and enter =. Click on the “XLookup” option, type the arguments in the Parenthesis, and click on enter. The result will be generated in the cell you apply the formula.
Q.3. How do I use Xlookup vs VLOOKUP?
A.3. VLOOKUP enables you to specify the data range along with the column number which comprises the desired value. XLookUP offers more flexibility where you are required to define separate ranges for the lookup value to find the data you desire to retrieve.
Q.4. Can XLookup return multiple values?
A.4. Yes, XLookup can return multiple values, including entire row or column data.
Q.5. How do I enable X lookup in Excel?
A.5. To enable XLookup in Excel, open the application and go to the Developer Tab. Under the Developer tab, tap on “Excel Add-ins”. Scroll through it and choose the add-in. Then, tap on Ok to install the XLookUP add-in.