Lookup & Referenceintermediate
XLOOKUP for the last matching value
=XLOOKUP(A2,$F$2:$F$20,$G$2:$G$20,"Not found",0,-1)
Excel how-to guide
How to vlookup match two columns in Excel
Return a region, owner, or status from a lookup table when you already have a shared key like an order ID.
Step-by-step instructions
How to vlookup match two columns — 3 steps
1
Put the lookup value in A2 and make sure the lookup table starts with the matching key column.
2
Select the lookup range with absolute references so it stays fixed when you fill the formula down.
3
Use column index 2 and FALSE so Excel returns the exact matching value from the second column.
Example data
Worked example
| Order ID | Region |
|---|---|
| A-100 | East |
| A-101 | West |
| A-102 | North |
Common mistakes
Errors to watch out for
#N/A error
This usually means the lookup value in A2 does not exist in the first column of the lookup table or the values do not match exactly.
Wrong column returned
Make sure the third argument points to the correct column index inside the selected table array.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why use FALSE in VLOOKUP?
FALSE forces an exact match, which is almost always what you want for IDs, invoice numbers, and other lookup keys.
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