How to Apply a Double VLOOKUP in Excel

Introduction to the Excel VLOOKUP Function

The VLOOKUP function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to search for a value in the leftmost column of a table and retrieve a value in the same row from a specified column. Here’s the syntax for the function:

Syntax

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,column_index_num,[range_lookup])

Arguments

lookup_value: [required] The value you want to look up in the first column of a table.

table_array: [required] The range/table from where the function looks for the lookup value.

column_index_num: [required] This is the column index in the table from where to retrieve a value.

range_lookup: [optional] TRUE = approximate match i.e. if an exact match is not found, the function will return the closest match. FALSE = exact match.

Method 1 – Apply Two VLOOKUP Functions Simultaneously (Nested VLOOKUP)

In this method, we use two VLOOKUP functions simultaneously, which can be more efficient than using them separately. For instance, let’s consider a dataset comprising tables of patient records at a hospital. Initially, we utilize the first VLOOKUP to search for the Serial Number of a patient, aiming to find their corresponding ID. Following this, we employ another VLOOKUP to retrieve the Patient’s Name using the ID obtained from the initial VLOOKUP. Let’s go through the steps:

Steps:

Enter the following formula in Cell C5:

=VLOOKUP(VLOOKUP(B5,F9:H11,3,FALSE),B9:D11,2,FALSE)

This formula will retrieve the Patient’s Name based on a particular ID.

This formula will work for any ID in the table. If you change the ID, the Patient’s Name or any other details, will change accordingly.

Breakdown of the Formula

➤ (VLOOKUP(B5,F9:H11,3,FALSE)

The first VLOOKUP function looks for the Serial No of a patient and returns the corresponding ID from the table F9:H11.

➤ VLOOKUP(VLOOKUP(B5,F9:H11,3,FALSE),B9:D11,2,FALSE)

The second VLOOKUP function then looks for the ID in the table B9:D11 and returns the Patient’s Name associated with that ID.

Method 2 – Double VLOOKUP with Excel IF and ISTEXT Functions

Here, we combine the IF function with two VLOOKUP functions and the ISTEXT function. Let’s discuss the steps involved:

Steps:

Enter the following formula in Cell C5:

=IF(ISTEXT(B5),VLOOKUP(B5,C9:D11,2,FALSE),VLOOKUP(B5,B9:D11,3,FALSE))

This formula will return this result based on whether the value of B5 is text.

If the value of B5 is not text, the following will be the result.

Breakdown of the Formula

➤ ISTEXT(B5)

The ISTEXT function checks if the value of B5 is text or not and replies TRUE or FALSE accordingly.

➤ VLOOKUP(B5,C9:D11,2,FALSE)

If B5 is text, the first VLOOKUP function retrieves the patient’s Problem from the range C9:D11.

➤ VLOOKUP(B5,B9:D11,3,FALSE)

If B5 is not text, the second VLOOKUP function retrieves the patient’s Problem from the range B9:D11.

➤ IF(ISTEXT(B5),VLOOKUP(B5,C9:D11,2,FALSE),VLOOKUP(B5,B9:D11,3,FALSE))

The IF function combines the formula and returns the result depending on the changed value of Cell B5.

Method 3 – Double VLOOKUP with IF and ISNA Functions

In this method, we use two VLOOKUP functions with the ISNA function and the IF function. Let’s go through the steps:

Steps:

Enter the following formula in Cell C13:

=IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE)), "Not found",VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE))

This formula will return the result based on whether the ID is present in the specified range (B5:D10) or not.

If the ID is not present in the specified range Not Found will be returned.

Breakdown of the Formula

➤ VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE)

The VLOOKUP function looks for the ID in the range B5:D10.

➤ ISNA(VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE))

The ISNA function checks if the VLOOKUP result is #N/A (i.e., if the ID is not found), and returns TRUE or FALSE.
In this table, this formula looks for M345 in the range B5:D10 and returns {FALSE}

➤ IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE)), “Not found”, VLOOKUP(C12,B5:D10,3,FALSE))

The IF function returns Not found if the ID is not present; otherwise, it returns the patient’s Problem.

Method 4 – Double VLOOKUP with the IFERROR Function

Here, we use the IFERROR function with two VLOOKUP functions. Let’s discuss the steps involved:

Steps:

Enter the following formula in Cell C12:

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(B12,B5:D9,3,FALSE),IFERROR(VLOOKUP(B12,C5:D9,2,FALSE),"Not Found"))

This formula will return the result based on whether the ID is found in the specified ranges.
Use the Fill Handle (+) to copy the formula to the rest of the cells.

Breakdown of the Formula

➤ (VLOOKUP(B12,B5:D9,3,FALSE)

The first VLOOKUP function looks for the ID in the range B5:D9.

➤ (VLOOKUP(B12,C5:D9,2,FALSE)

The second VLOOKUP function looks for the ID in the range C5:D9.

➤ IFERROR(VLOOKUP(B12,C5:D9,2,FALSE),”Not Found”))

The IFERROR function checks for errors in both VLOOKUP results and returns Not Found if the ID is not found in either range.

➤ IFERROR(VLOOKUP(B12,B5:D9,3,FALSE),IFERROR(VLOOKUP(B12,C5:D9,2,FALSE),”Not Found”))

The double VLOOKUP functions wrapped with double IFERROR find the value in the dataset, and return Muscle Pain for ID: E258, otherwise, the formula returns Not Found.