How to Apply a Double VLOOKUP in Excel

Introduction to the Excel VLOOKUP Function

The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to search for a value in the leftmost column of a table and retrieve a value in the same row from a specified column. Here’s the syntax for the function:

• Syntax

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

• Arguments

lookup_value: [required] The value you want to look up in the first column of a table.

table_array: [required] The range/table from where the function looks for the lookup value.

column_index_num: [required] This is the column index in the table from where to retrieve a value.

range_lookup:  [optional] TRUE = approximate match i.e. if an exact match is not found, the function will return the closest match. FALSE = exact match.

Read More: 10 Best Practices with VLOOKUP in Excel

Method 1 – Apply Two VLOOKUP Functions Simultaneously (Nested VLOOKUP)

In this method, we use two VLOOKUP functions simultaneously, which can be more efficient than using them separately. For instance, let’s consider a dataset comprising tables of patient records at a hospital. Initially, we utilize the first VLOOKUP to search for the Serial Number of a patient, aiming to find their corresponding ID. Following this, we employ another VLOOKUP to retrieve the Patient’s Name using the ID obtained from the initial VLOOKUP. Let’s go through the steps:

Steps:

• Enter the following formula in Cell C5:

• This formula will retrieve the Patient’s Name based on a particular ID.

• This formula will work for any ID in the table. If you change the ID, the Patient’s Name or any other details, will change accordingly.

Read More: 7 Practical Examples of VLOOKUP Function in Excel

Method 2 – Double VLOOKUP with Excel IF and ISTEXT Functions

Here, we combine the IF function with two VLOOKUP functions and the ISTEXT function. Let’s discuss the steps involved:

Steps:

• Enter the following formula in Cell C5:

• This formula will return this result based on whether the value of B5 is text.

• Then, if the value of B5 is not text, the following will be the result.

Read More: How to Use VLOOKUP with Two Lookup Values in Excel

Method 3 – Double VLOOKUP with IF and ISNA Functions

In this method, we use two VLOOKUP functions with the ISNA function and the IF function. Let’s go through the steps:

Steps:

• Enter the following formula in Cell C13:

• This formula will return the result based on whether the ID is present in the specified range (B5:D10) or not.

• If the ID is not present in the specified range ‘Not Found’ will be returned.

Method 4 – Double VLOOKUP with the IFERROR Function

Here, we use the IFERROR function with two VLOOKUP functions. Let’s discuss the steps involved:

Steps:

• Enter the following formula in Cell C12:

• This formula will return the result based on whether the ID is found in the specified ranges.
• Use the Fill Handle (+) to copy the formula to the rest of the cells.

Download the Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

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• VLOOKUP and Return All Matches in Excel
• VLOOKUP Fuzzy Match in Excel
• Excel VLOOKUP to Find Last Value in Column
• How to Use VLOOKUP to Search Text in Excel
• How to Apply VLOOKUP by Date in Excel
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• VLOOKUP with Numbers in Excel

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