When using Excel for data processing, the vlookup function is one of the most commonly used tools. However, when you perform VLOOKUP with anticipation, do you feel confused when you find out that the result is n a?Don't worry, this article will reveal the secrets behind N A for you, allowing you to get back your lost data easily!
1. The reason why vlookup matches out is n a
1.Check the data range: The vlookup function works by looking for data in a region according to the specified column, and if the search range is incorrect, n a will appear.
2.Check for matching columns: Make sure that the column number you want to match matches the column number in the vlookup function, otherwise n a will also appear.
3.Check the data type: vlookup requires that the data type of the lookup column and the matching column must be the same, otherwise n a will appear.
4.Approximate Match vs. Exact Match: vlookup uses approximate matching by default, if you need exact matching, please add the parameter "0" to the function.
2. Example analysis
Let's say we have a product sales table with the following columns: product number, product name, sale date, sales. Now we need to find the corresponding sales volume by the product name.
1.First, enter the product name in another ** and the vlookup function in the corresponding cell: =vlookup(product name, sales sheet!a1:d5，4，false)。
2.The finding is n a, indicating that the data range or matching column is incorrect.
3.Checking the data range, it was found that the sales column of the sales table was from column 4, so the vlookup function was modified to: =vlookup(product name, sales table!b:d，3，false)。
4.After the execution, it is found that the results return to normal, and the corresponding sales amount is successfully found.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
1.Q: How do I use vlookup for an exact match?
A: Add the parameter "0" to the vlookup function, for example: =vlookup (product name, sales table!).$c$2:$d$100，4，0)。
2.Q: How do I find columns that are not contiguous?
a: Use a combination of index and match functions, for example: =index(sales column, match(product name, product name column, 0)).
3.Q: How do I deal with a situation where I can't find a match??
A: You can use the iferror function, such as: =iferror(vlookup(product name, sales sheet!$c$2:$d$100,4,false),"Not Found").
Summary: The vlookup function is widely used in Excel, and mastering its principles and usage can easily solve data matching problems. When you encounter n a, you don't need to panic, carefully check the data range, matching columns, data types, etc., and adjust accordingly, and you can return to normal. Hopefully, this article will help you with the problems you are having while using VlookUp!