What’s the difference between the HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP formulas in Excel?
While both functions are used to look up and retrieve data from a table, they operate in slightly different ways.
HLOOKUP stands for “Horizontal Lookup,” while VLOOKUP stands for “Vertical Lookup.”
The main difference between the two is the direction in which they search for data. HLOOKUP searches horizontally (from left to right) across the first row in the table_array, while VLOOKUP searches vertically (from top to bottom) down the first column in the table_array.
This means that the data you’re trying to retrieve must be arranged in a specific way for each function to work effectively.
What Is HLOOKUP?
When working with large sets of data in Excel, it can be challenging to find specific information. The HLOOKUP function is one of Excel’s most useful tools for searching and retrieving data from a table.
HLOOKUP stands for Horizontal Lookup, which means it searches for a value in the first row of a table and returns a corresponding value in the same column from a specified row number. It is similar to VLOOKUP, but instead of searching for data vertically, it searches for the data horizontally in the first row of the table_array.
For example, let’s say you have a table of sales data with years in the first horizontal row and the names of different products in the first vertical axis. If you want to search for how much in sales was made by Widget A, you can use HLOOKUP to search for the year and then the distance in rows from the year row to Widget A.
What Is VLOOKUP?
As an Excel user, you may have heard of VLOOKUP, which stands for Vertical Lookup. It is a function that allows you to search for a specific value in the first column of a table and return a corresponding value in the same row from another column in the table.
VLOOKUP is a powerful tool that saves time and effort when working with large data sets. It is commonly used for tasks such as finding the price of a product based on its code or looking up a customer’s name based on their ID number.
The syntax for the VLOOKUP function is relatively simple. You need to specify the value you want to look up, the range of cells containing the table, the column number of the value you want to return, and whether you want an exact or approximate match.
Overall, VLOOKUP is a valuable function that can help you quickly find and retrieve data in Excel. However, it is important to understand its limitations and potential pitfalls, such as the fact that it only works with data arranged in a specific way (i.e. the ID must be in the first column of the table_array).
Syntax Differences
When it comes to the syntax of HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions, there may appear to be no real differences, but there is one key difference.
Remember, the HLOOKUP function searches for a value in the first row of a table, and the VLOOKUP function searches for a value in the first column of a table, and this is evident in the third parameter of each function.
Here’s the formula syntax for the HLOOKUP function:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
lookup_value | The value to search for in the first row of the table. |
table_array | The range of cells representing the table. |
row_index_num | The row number in the table from which to return a value. |
range_lookup | Optional. A logical value that specifies whether to find an exact match or an approximate match. |
And here’s the formula syntax for the VLOOKUP function:
On the other hand, the syntax for VLOOKUP is as follows:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
lookup_value | The value to search for in the first column of the table. |
table_array | The range of cells representing the table. |
col_index_num | The column number in the table from which to return a value. |
range_lookup | Optional. A logical value that specifies whether to find an exact match or an approximate match. |
As you can see, the main difference is that HLOOKUP uses the parameter row_index_num to specify the row number in the table, while VLOOKUP uses the parameter col_index_num to specify the column number.
Every other parameter can be the same.
Functionality Differences
When it comes to Excel, the HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions are two of the most commonly used functions for finding data in a table. While they may seem similar, there are some key differences between the two that are important to understand.
Firstly, the HLOOKUP function searches for data in the top row of the table_array, while the VLOOKUP function searches for data in the first column of the table_array.
This means that the orientation of your table will determine which function you should use.
If the value you are looking for can be found in the first column, you should use VLOOKUP, and if it can be found in the first row, you should use HLOOKUP.
Remember, it is important to know when using VLOOKUP, that the lookup value must be in the leftmost column of the table, while with HLOOKUP, it must be in the top row of the table. This can be a little confusing at first, but it’s important to keep in mind when using these functions.
Overall, both functions have their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to choose the right one for your specific needs. By understanding the differences between HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP, you can make sure that you’re using the right function for the job.
When To Use HLOOKUP
As I mentioned earlier, HLOOKUP is used to search for a value in the top row of a table and return a corresponding value from a row below.
Here are some scenarios where HLOOKUP might be the better option:
- You have a table with headers along the top row and you want to search for a value in one of those headers.
- You want to retrieve data from a row below a matching value in the top row.
I’ve written another article on the HLOOKUP function, providing more tips and tricks on how you can use the formula effectively.
When To Use VLOOKUP
As I mentioned earlier, VLOOKUP is an excellent tool when you need to search for data in a table and retrieve information from a different column. Here are some specific situations where VLOOKUP is particularly useful:
- When you have a large table and need to search for a specific value quickly
- When you need to retrieve information from a different column based on a specific value
One important thing to keep in mind is that VLOOKUP only works when the lookup value is in the leftmost column of the table. If your lookup value is in a different column, you’ll need to use a different function or rearrange your table so that the lookup value is in the leftmost column.
Conclusion
After comparing the HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions in Excel, I have found that both are useful for different purposes. HLOOKUP is best used when searching for data in a row, while VLOOKUP is best used when searching for data in a column.
It is important to note that both functions have their limitations. HLOOKUP can only search for data in the top row, while VLOOKUP can only search for data in the leftmost column in the table array.
Overall, the decision to use HLOOKUP or VLOOKUP depends on the specific needs of the user. It is important to understand the differences between the two functions in order to choose the one that will be most effective for the task at hand.