Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to pull data from multiple sources in your spreadsheets? Well, you're in luck! In this article, we're diving deep into the art of combining two VLOOKUP formulas. This is a super handy skill to have in your Excel or Google Sheets toolkit, and it can save you a ton of time and effort. We'll break it down step by step, so even if you're not a spreadsheet wizard, you'll be able to follow along. Let's get started!

Understanding VLOOKUP

Before we jump into combining VLOOKUP formulas, let's make sure we're all on the same page with what VLOOKUP actually does. VLOOKUP, which stands for 'Vertical Lookup,' is a function in spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets that searches for a specific value in the first column of a range and then returns a value from any cell on the same row of that range. Think of it like looking up a word in a dictionary. You find the word (the lookup value), and then you read its definition (the returned value).

The basic syntax of the VLOOKUP function is as follows:

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Let's break down each part:

• lookup_value: This is the value you want to find in the first column of your table.
• table_array: This is the range of cells where you want to search. The first column of this range is where the lookup_value will be searched.
• col_index_num: This is the column number within the table_array that contains the value you want to return. For example, if you want to return the value from the second column of your table_array, you would enter 2.
• range_lookup: This is an optional argument that specifies whether you want an exact match or an approximate match. If you want an exact match, you should enter FALSE (or 0). If you want an approximate match, you should enter TRUE (or 1). Generally, you'll want an exact match to ensure you're getting the correct data.

For example, let's say you have a table with employee IDs in the first column and their corresponding names in the second column. If you want to find the name of the employee with ID 123, your VLOOKUP formula might look like this:

=VLOOKUP(123, A1:B100, 2, FALSE)

This formula searches for 123 in the range A1:B100, and if it finds a match, it returns the value from the second column (column B) of that row. Understanding this fundamental function is crucial before we can move on to combining multiple VLOOKUPs.

Why Combine VLOOKUP Formulas?

So, why would you even want to combine two VLOOKUP formulas? Well, there are several scenarios where this can be incredibly useful. Imagine you have data spread across multiple sheets or tables, and you need to retrieve information from all of them based on a single lookup value. Instead of manually searching each table, you can use a combined VLOOKUP formula to automate the process. This is especially helpful when dealing with large datasets or when you need to perform the same lookup operation repeatedly.

Another common scenario is when you have different tables containing different attributes of the same entities. For example, you might have one table with employee IDs and their departments, and another table with employee IDs and their salaries. If you want to create a report that includes both the department and salary for each employee, you can use combined VLOOKUP formulas to pull the data from both tables based on the employee ID. This approach allows you to consolidate data from various sources into a single, unified view. This is a common task for data analysts and anyone who works with structured data regularly.

Combining VLOOKUP formulas can also help you handle situations where the lookup value might be in different columns in different tables. For example, in one table, the employee ID might be in the first column, while in another table, it might be in the third column. By combining VLOOKUP formulas with other functions like IF or ISERROR, you can create a dynamic lookup that adapts to the structure of each table. This flexibility is essential when working with data from diverse sources that may not always be perfectly aligned.

In essence, combining VLOOKUP formulas is a powerful technique for streamlining data retrieval and analysis. It allows you to work more efficiently with complex datasets and to create more sophisticated reports and dashboards. By mastering this skill, you can significantly enhance your spreadsheet capabilities and become a more proficient data wrangler.

Method 1: Using IF and ISNA Functions

One of the most common ways to combine two VLOOKUP formulas is by using the IF and ISNA (or ISERROR in some versions of Excel) functions. This method essentially says, "Try the first VLOOKUP. If it doesn't find a match (returns #N/A error), then try the second VLOOKUP." Let's break down how this works:

The ISNA function checks whether a value is #N/A (Not Available). If the value is #N/A, ISNA returns TRUE; otherwise, it returns FALSE. The IF function then uses this result to decide which VLOOKUP formula to execute.

Here's the basic structure of the combined formula:

=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array1, col_index_num1, FALSE)), VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array2, col_index_num2, FALSE), VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array1, col_index_num1, FALSE))

Let's dissect this:

• ISNA(VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array1, col_index_num1, FALSE)): This part checks if the first VLOOKUP formula returns #N/A. It tries to find lookup_value in table_array1. If it fails, ISNA returns TRUE.
• VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array2, col_index_num2, FALSE): This is the second VLOOKUP formula. It will be executed only if the first VLOOKUP returns #N/A (i.e., ISNA returns TRUE). It tries to find lookup_value in table_array2.
• VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array1, col_index_num1, FALSE): This is the value returned if the first VLOOKUP is successful (i.e., ISNA returns FALSE).

Example:

Let's say you have two tables:

• Table 1 (A1:B10): Contains employee IDs in column A and their departments in column B.
• Table 2 (D1:E10): Contains employee IDs in column D and their salaries in column E.

You want to create a formula that returns the department if the employee ID is found in Table 1, and the salary if the employee ID is found in Table 2. Here's how you can do it:

=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(H1, A1:B10, 2, FALSE)), VLOOKUP(H1, D1:E10, 2, FALSE), VLOOKUP(H1, A1:B10, 2, FALSE))

In this formula:

• H1 contains the employee ID you want to look up.
• The first VLOOKUP searches for the employee ID in Table 1 (A1:B10) and returns the department from column B.
• The second VLOOKUP searches for the employee ID in Table 2 (D1:E10) and returns the salary from column E.

When to use this method:

• When you have two or more tables with similar data but the lookup value might be in different tables.
• When you want to prioritize one table over another.
• When you want to return a specific value if the lookup value is not found in any of the tables (you can add another IF statement for this).

This method is relatively simple to understand and implement, making it a great starting point for combining VLOOKUP formulas. However, it can become cumbersome if you have many tables to search. In such cases, the next method might be more efficient.

Method 2: Using the CHOOSE and MATCH Functions

Another powerful method for combining VLOOKUP formulas involves using the CHOOSE and MATCH functions. This approach is particularly useful when you have multiple tables and you want to dynamically select the appropriate table based on some criteria. While it might seem a bit more complex at first, it can be incredibly efficient and flexible once you understand how it works.

The MATCH function searches for a specified item in a range of cells, and then returns the relative position of that item in the range. For example, `MATCH(