VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP
Both look up a value and return a result. Here’s how they differ and when to use each.
| Feature | VLOOKUP | XLOOKUP |
|---|---|---|
| Look left | No | Yes |
| Column index | Required (number) | Not needed (separate return array) |
| If not found | Returns #N/A | Optional 4th argument (e.g. "Not Found") |
| Default match | Approximate (TRUE) unless you use FALSE | Exact match |
When to use VLOOKUP
Use VLOOKUP when you have a simple table with the lookup value in the first column and you need a value to the right. It’s widely supported in older Excel versions.
When to use XLOOKUP
Use XLOOKUP when you need to look left, when columns might be inserted (no column index to break), or when you want built-in if-not-found. Available in Excel 365 and Google Sheets.