How to Use LARGE Function with VLOOKUP Function in Excel

Today we will discuss how we can use the LARGE function with the VLOOKUP function in Excel. The LARGE function returns the n-th largest value of a dataset, where the integer n represents the position of the biggest numeric value in the specified range of cells. However, only numeric values can be retrieved with the LARGE function. On the other hand, the VLOOKUP function looks at an array of data organized vertically and returns text or numeric values depending on the specified criteria by the user.

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2 Suitable Methods to Use LARGE Function with VLOOKUP Function

Method 1: Combine LARGE and VLOOKUP Functions to Extract Associated Text Data in Excel

Method 2: Nest LARGE, VLOOKUP, and ROWS Functions to Sort Text data in Descending Order in Excel

Conclusion

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2 Suitable Methods to Use LARGE Function with VLOOKUP Function

In this article, we will demonstrate with examples how we can use the LARGE function with the VLOOKUP function in Excel. We can combine the LARGE function with the VLOOKUP function to extract the associated text data of a particular numeric value. We can also use the LARGE, VLOOKUP, and ROWS functions to sort text data of descending numeric values.

Method 1: Combine LARGE and VLOOKUP Functions to Extract Associated Text Data in Excel

We can use the LARGE function along with the VLOOKUP function in Excel to extract the associated text data of a numeric value. This method is very simple and easy to use. Here in this worksheet, we have the names of multiple students, their student IDs, their CGPAs (Cumulative Grade Point Average), their departments, and their permanent home addresses. We want to see the names of the Top 3 students with the highest CGPAs. To do so, simply follow the steps below.

Steps:

First, select the cell where you want to put the name of the student who has the highest CGPA. We are selecting cell E15.

Secondly, enter the formula into the cell:

=VLOOKUP(LARGE($C$5:$C$11,D15),$C$5:$F$11,2,0)

Formula Breakdown

LARGE($C$5:$C$11,D15) —> this portion of the formula finds the n-th largest value (n=D15) in cells C5:C11. Here, D15=1, so it looks for the highest CGPA value.
VLOOKUP(LARGE($C$5:$C$11,D15),$C$5:$F$11,2,0)—> the VLOOKUP function finds the highest CGPA value in the range C5:C11. Then, it returns the exact match of the text data corresponding to the highest CGPA value from column no 2 (Name) of the selected range (C5:F11).

Thirdly, press Enter and you will see the name of the student with the highest CGPA. In this dataset, Ricky has the highest CGPA (3.79) among all the students. That’s why his name appeared in cell E15.

Now, use Fill Handle to Autofill data from cells E16:E17.

Finally, you will see the names of the top 3 students with the highest CGPAs in cells E15:E17.

Method 2: Nest LARGE, VLOOKUP, and ROWS Functions to Sort Text data in Descending Order in Excel

We can sort numeric values in descending order by combining the LARGE function with the ROWS function. Then, we can get the associated text data of those numbers with the use of the VLOOKUP function. Here the dataset is the same as in Method 1. The names of the students are not sorted according to their CGPAs. We will sort the names of the students in such a way the highest CGPA holder gets the top position and the lowest CGPA holder gets the bottommost position. In brief, we want to sort the names of the students according to their CGPAs in descending order. To do so, just follow the steps below.

Steps:

To begin, select the cell from which you want to start the names from. We are selecting cell H5.

Then, enter the formula into the cell:

=VLOOKUP(LARGE($C$5:$C$11,ROWS(C$5:$C5)),$C$5:$F$11,2,0)

Formula Breakdown

ROWS(C$5:$C5)—> returns the row number of the reference.
LARGE($C$5:$C$11,ROWS(C$5:$C5))—> next, the LARGE function tries to find the largest numbers from the C5:C11 range according to the descending row serial.
VLOOKUP(LARGE($C$5:$C$11,ROWS(C$5:$C5)),$C$5:$F$11,2,0)—> finally, the VLOOUP function will return the exact match of the associated text data corresponding to the CGPA value from column no 2 (Name) of the selected range (C5:F11).

After that, press Enter and you will see the name of the student with the highest CGPA in cell H5.

Subsequently, use Fill Handle to Autofill data from cells H6:H11.

Finally, you will see the names of the students in cells H5:H11, according to their CGPAs in descending order.

Notes

There are a few limitations of the LARGE, and VLOOKUP functions. They are as follows:

The biggest drawback of the VLOOKUP function is it can retrieve data only from the column that are situated on the right-hand side of the lookup value.
The LARGE function will not work if the second argument of the function (n-th value) is either a negative number or the assigned value is more than the number of rows of the specified range.
The LARGE function will not work if the selected array is empty or does not include any numeric value.

Conclusion

In this article, we have talked in detail about how to use the LARGE function with the VLOOUP function in Excel. This article will allow users to use Excel more efficiently and effectively. If you have any questions regarding this essay, feel free to let us know in the comments. Also, if you want to see more Excel content like this, please visit our website, Exceldemy.com, and unlock a great resource for Excel-related content.