How to use the Excel VLOOKUP Practice
- 1. Read the sheetA product table sits in A1:E11 and a grade table in J1:K7. H2 holds the value to look up.
- 2. Type your formulaWrite a formula such as =VLOOKUP(H2, A2:E11, 4, FALSE) and check it.
- 3. See your scoreEach answer is checked with Excel's rules. Your total shows at the end.
VLOOKUP in one line
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
- lookup_value: what you are searching for, usually a cell like H2.
- table_array: the range to search. VLOOKUP always searches its first column.
- col_index_num: which column of that range to return, counting from 1.
- range_lookup: FALSE (or 0) for an exact match, TRUE (or 1) for the nearest smaller value in a sorted list. If you leave it out, Excel uses TRUE, a common cause of wrong answers.
Worked example: H2 holds P104. =VLOOKUP(H2, A2:E11, 4, FALSE) finds P104 in column A, moves to the 4th column of the range (Price) and returns 1299. The practice sheet checks your formula the same way.
The errors you will meet
- #N/A: the value was not found. Check spelling, extra spaces, or numbers stored as text. Wrap the formula in
IFERROR(…, "Not found")to show a friendly message. - #REF!: col_index_num is bigger than the number of columns in your range, such as asking for column 6 of A2:E11.
- Wrong value, no error: usually TRUE was used, or left out, when you needed an exact match.
Approximate match is right for bands, like the grade table in J2:K7. With 68 marks, =VLOOKUP(H2, J2:K7, 2, TRUE) finds 60, the largest minimum that is not above 68, and returns B. The first column must be sorted from smallest to largest for this to work.
Use $A$2:$E$11 (absolute references) when you plan to copy the formula down a column, so the range does not shift. In Excel 365, XLOOKUP is a newer alternative, but VLOOKUP is still what most interviews ask about.
Frequently asked questions
Does the checker run real Excel?
No. It uses a small built-in engine that follows Excel's VLOOKUP and IFERROR rules for this practice sheet. Other functions are not supported here.
Is the lookup case-sensitive?
No, same as Excel: p104 and P104 match.
Can I use semicolons instead of commas?
Yes. Some regional Excel settings use semicolons between arguments, and the checker accepts both.
Is the practice free?
Yes. Doing the eight exercises is free and needs no form. Seeing your final score asks for your name and WhatsApp number once, and then every Uncodemy tool is open to you.