# How to use VLOOKUP to find an exact match in Excel

Use =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table, column_number, FALSE). The FALSE at the end makes it look for an exact match.

**Excel:** `=VLOOKUP(G1,A2:D9,3,FALSE)` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SKU | Product | Price | Stock |  | SKU | P-104 |
| P-101 | Desk lamp | 39.99 | 140 |  | Price |  |
| P-102 | Office chair | 249 | 32 |  |  |  |
| P-103 | Monitor arm | 89.5 | 75 |  |  |  |
| P-104 | Standing desk | 449 | 18 |  |  |  |
| P-105 | Keyboard | 74.95 | 210 |  |  |  |
| P-106 | Webcam | 59 | 96 |  |  |  |
| P-107 | Headset | 129 | 54 |  |  |  |
| P-108 | Laptop stand | 45 | 160 |  |  |  |

Formula in G2: `=VLOOKUP(G1,A2:D9,3,FALSE)`

Result: $449.00

## How it works

VLOOKUP searches the first column of `A2:D9` for the SKU in `G1` and returns the value from the 3rd column of that table, the price. `FALSE` asks for an exact match; without it, VLOOKUP assumes the first column is sorted and may return a nearby row.

## Other ways

- `=XLOOKUP(G1,A2:A9,C2:C9)`: Exact match by default, no column number to count, and the result column can be anywhere. Excel 2021, Microsoft 365 and Google Sheets.
- `=INDEX(C2:C9,MATCH(G1,A2:A9,0))`: Works in every version and in any direction.

## Common mistakes

- Leaving out `FALSE` makes VLOOKUP do an approximate match, which can return a wrong price without any error.
- The column number counts from the first column of the table, not from column A of the sheet.
- Inserting a column inside the table shifts the column you meant. XLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH don't have this problem.
- #N/A means the SKU wasn't found. Check for extra spaces and for numbers stored as text.

## Questions

**Why does VLOOKUP return #N/A when the value is there?**

Usually a hidden space or a number stored as text. Try `=VLOOKUP(TRIM(G1),A2:D9,3,FALSE)`, or compare `=G1=A5` to see if Excel thinks they are equal.

**Can VLOOKUP look to the left?**

No, it only returns columns to the right of the first column. Use XLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-29.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/vlookup-exact-match