When using VLOOKUP, storing numbers as text can be beneficial in the following ways:
- Exact match: Storing numbers as text ensures an exact match when performing VLOOKUP, preventing potential rounding errors or formatting inconsistencies.
- Leading zeros: Text format preserves leading zeros, which is useful for codes, postal/ZIP codes, or any data where maintaining the leading zero is important.
- Compatibility: Text format allows compatibility with systems or software that may not recognize numbers formatted in a specific way.
- Data integrity: Storing numbers as text prevents accidental modifications or calculations on the data, ensuring the integrity of the original values.
- Consistency: By storing all data as text, you maintain consistency throughout your dataset, avoiding mixed formats that could lead to confusion or errors in VLOOKUP operations.
Excel VLOOKUP not working – solving #N/A and #VALUE errors
- Understanding the VLOOKUP function: The VLOOKUP function is used search for a value in the leftmost column of a table and return a corresponding value from a specified column. Its syntax is as follows:
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
lookup_value: The value you want to search for.table_array: The range of cells that contains the lookup table.col_index_num: The column number in the table from which you want to retrieve the result.range_lookup(optional): A logical value that specifies whether you want an exact match or an approximate match. If omitted, it defaults toTRUEor1, indicating an approximate match.
- Troubleshooting #N/A error: The #N/A error occurs when the VLOOKUP function cannot find an exact match for the lookup value in the leftmost column of the table. Here are some possible solutions:
- Ensure that the lookup value exists in the leftmost column of the table. Check for any leading or trailing spaces or formatting differences that might cause a mismatch.
- Verify that the table is sorted in ascending order by the column you’re using for the lookup. VLOOKUP requires the data to be sorted for approximate matches.
- Consider using the IFERROR function to handle the #N/A error gracefully. For example:
=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup]),Not found")
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- Troubleshooting #VALUE error: The #VALUE error occurs when there is an issue with the arguments provided to the VLOOKUP function. Here are some possible solutions:
- Ensure that all the arguments are correct and properly formatted. Check for any extra or missing parentheses, commas, or quotation marks.
- Verify that the table_array argument refers to a valid range of cells. It should include both the lookup column and the result column.
- Double-check that the col_index_num argument is a positive number representing the column index in the table_array.
- If you’re using a range_lookup value of
FALSEor0for an exact match, ensure that the lookup column is sorted in ascending order.
How to Convert Number to Text for VLOOKUP in Excel (2 Ways)
Let’s dive into it:
Method 1: Using the TEXT Function The TEXT function in Excel allows you to convert a number to text by specifying a format code. Here’s how you can use it for VLOOKUP:
Step 1: Assuming your number is in cell A1, enter the following formula in an empty cell:
=VLOOKUP(TEXT(A1,"0"), LookupRange, ColumnIndex, ExactMatch)
Replace “LookupRange” with the range of cells where you want to perform the lookup, “ColumnIndex” with the column number from which you want to retrieve the value, and “ExactMatch” with either TRUE or FALSE, depending on whether you want an exact match or not.
Step 2: Press Enter to get the result.
By using the TEXT function, you convert the number to text with the specified format code (“0” in this case) before performing the VLOOKUP.
Method 2: Using the & Operator Another way to convert a number to text for VLOOKUP is by using the concatenation operator (&). Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Assuming your number is in cell A1, enter the following formula in empty cell:
=VLOOKUP(A1&"", LookupRange, ColumnIndex, ExactMatch)
Again, replace “LookupRange” with the range of cells where you want to perform the lookup, “ColumnIndex” with the column number from which you want retrieve the value, and “ExactMatch” with either TRUE or FALSE.
Step 2: Press Enter to get the result.
In this method, you concatenate an empty string (“”) with the number in cell A1, which converts to text. The resulting text is then used the VLOOKUP formula.
Excel VLOOKUP – numbers as text & vice versa
Excel’s VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool for searching and retrieving data from a table based on a specified lookup value. However, it’s important to understand how Excel handles numbers and text when using VLOOKUP.
- Numbers as Text: When working with numbers stored as text in Excel, you may encounter issues when using VLOOKUP. By default, Excel treats numbers entered as text differently from actual numeric values. This can lead to unexpected results or errors when performing calculations or lookups.
To overcome this issue, you can use the VALUE function to convert numbers stored as text into actual numeric values. The VALUE function takes a text argument and returns the corresponding numeric value. Here’s an example:
ume you have a table with numbers stored as text in column A and corresponding values in column B. In cell C2, you want to perform a VLOOKUP to retrieve the value associated with the number in cell A2. You can use the following formula:
=VLOOKUP(VALUE(A2), $A2:2:B$10, 2, FALSE)
The VALUE(A2) part converts the text in cell A2 into a numeric value, which is then used as the lookup value in the VLOOKUP function. Make sure lock the lookup range ($A2:2:B$10) using absolute references (with dollar signs) to prevent it from changing when copying the formula to other cells.
- Text as Numbers: Similarly, if you have text values that represent numbers in your lookup table, you need to convert them to actual numbers before using VLOOKUP. Excel’s TEXT function can be used to achieve this.
Let’s say you have a table with text values representing numbers in column A and corresponding values in column B. In cell C2, you want to perform a VLOOKUP using the text value in cell A2. You can use the following formula:
=VLOOKUP(TEXT(A2, “0”), $A2:2:B$10, 2, FALSE)
The TEXT(A2, “0”) part converts the text in cell A2 into a numeric value with zero decimal places. This ensures that the lookup value matches the format of the values in the lookup table. Again, lock the lookup range ($A2:2:B$10) using absolute references.
