The Frustration: When VLOOKUP Falls Short

Scenario 1: VLOOKUP with Multiple Criteria

I was working on a report, trying to find the correct price of a product based on both its name and the region where it’s sold. You use VLOOKUP, but it keeps returning the wrong results. You double-check your formula, but VLOOKUP is only looking at a single column—it doesn’t understand multiple conditions. Frustrating, right?

If you’ve ever been stuck in this situation, you’re not alone. But don’t worry—here are two of the best powerful techniques to make VLOOKUP work with multiple criteria depending on the version

Solution 1: Using VLOOKUP with CHOOSE

If you want to keep using VLOOKUP but avoid adding a helper column, the CHOOSE function can create a virtual lookup table.

Formula Example:

=VLOOKUP(G2&H2, CHOOSE({1,2}, A2:A10&B2:B10, D2:D10), 2, FALSE)        

Explanation:

• A2:A10&B2:B10 merges criteria into a single array, forming unique combined keys.
• CHOOSE({1,2}, A2:A10&B2:B10, D2:D10) dynamically creates a two-column virtual lookup table:
• VLOOKUP searches this virtual table and returns the corresponding value from column 2.

💡 Use Case: Great for keeping formulas compact while avoiding extra columns.

Solution 2: Using XLOOKUP (Excel 365 & 2019)

For those using Excel 365 or Excel 2019, XLOOKUP offers a simpler way to perform lookups with multiple criteria.

Formula Example:

=XLOOKUP(1, (A2:A10=G2)*(B2:B10=H2), D2:D10)        

Explanation:

• (A2:A10=G2)*(B2:B10=H2) creates an array where each condition evaluates to TRUE or FALSE. Multiplying these values converts them into 1 (if both conditions are TRUE) or 0 (otherwise).
• XLOOKUP(1, ...) finds the first occurrence where both conditions are met (1).
• The corresponding value from column D is returned as the lookup result.

💡 Use Case: Best for Excel 365 users who want a modern, easy-to-read formula.

The Success Story: Problem Solved!

By applying one of these methods, you finally get the correct product price for the right region—no more incorrect lookups!

Final Thoughts

Each method has its strengths:

✅ XLOOKUP – The easiest solution for modern Excel users.

✅ VLOOKUP with CHOOSE – A clever trick to avoid helper columns.

Scenario 2: Searching Across Multiple Sheets

Have you ever faced the frustration of working with multiple sheets in Excel, where each sheet contains different data? For instance, you need to pull up prices for products, but the data is spread across multiple tabs—each representing a different region or department. Manually switching between sheets and searching for the same product is time-consuming and error-prone.

If you’ve been stuck in this situation, you’re not alone. But don't worry—there are a couple of powerful solutions to make fetching VLOOKUP data from multiple sheets much easier!

Solution 1: Using VLOOKUP with INDIRECT (Dynamic Sheet References)

The INDIRECT function is a game-changer when working with data across multiple sheets. It allows you to dynamically refer to different sheets, making your VLOOKUP formula flexible and adaptable.

Formula Example:

=VLOOKUP(A2, INDIRECT("'" & B2 & "'!A2:D10"), 2, FALSE)        

Explanation:

• A2: The lookup value (e.g., the product name you're searching for).
• B2: The cell that contains the name of the sheet you're looking to pull data from (e.g., "Region1").
• INDIRECT("'" & B2 & "'!A2:D10"): This part of the formula dynamically creates a reference to the range A2:D10 on the sheet specified in B2.
• 2: The column index from which you want to retrieve the data (in this case, the second column).
• FALSE: Ensures an exact match lookup.

💡 Use Case: This solution is ideal when you have multiple sheets, and the sheet name you want to reference changes frequently (e.g., each month, a new sheet is added for a new region). The INDIRECT function ensures the formula adjusts to the new sheet without requiring manual changes.

Solution 2: Using Multiple VLOOKUPs with IFERROR (One for Each Sheet)

If you have a small number of sheets to search, combining multiple VLOOKUP functions using IFERROR is a quick and effective way to look up data across several sheets.

Formula Example:

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet1!A2:D10, 2, FALSE), IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet2!A2:D10, 2, FALSE), VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet3!A2:D10, 2, FALSE)))        

Explanation:

• This formula first checks if VLOOKUP(A2, Sheet1!A2:D10, 2, FALSE) returns a value. If it does, it gives you the result.
• If not, it moves to the next VLOOKUP and looks in Sheet2, then Sheet3.
• The IFERROR function handles any errors and makes sure the formula continues to the next VLOOKUP until it finds a result.

💡 Use Case: This method is great when you have a limited number of sheets to search through. It’s simple to implement, and you don’t have to modify the data or create new ranges to reference. It’s especially useful when you're working with just a handful of sheets and don’t mind manually adding IFERROR to each one.

The Success Story: Problem Solved!

With either the INDIRECT or the IFERROR method, you can quickly fetch data from multiple sheets without manually switching between them. Whether you prefer the flexibility of INDIRECT or the simplicity of IFERROR with multiple VLOOKUPs, your lookup process becomes efficient and error-free.

Final Thoughts

Each method has its strengths:

✅ INDIRECT – Best for dynamic references where sheet names are constantly changing.

✅ Multiple VLOOKUPs with IFERROR – Quick and easy for a small number of sheets.

Master these techniques, and you’ll never be frustrated with VLOOKUP across multiple sheets ,multiple criteria again! Which method do you prefer? Let’s discuss in the comments! 🚀

Next up, we’re diving into the world of 2D and 3D Lookups in Excel! Whether you're working with simple tables or complex data across multiple dimensions, you’ll learn how to efficiently retrieve values using advanced lookup techniques.

Stay tuned to discover:

🔍 How to perform lookups across multiple rows and columns (2D lookup).

🌐 How to navigate and lookup data across multiple sheets (3D lookup).

Don't miss out—ensure you're ready to take your Excel skills to the next level! 🔥