How to Perform Bank Reconciliation Using the VLOOKUP Function in Excel

This is an overview.

There are transaction rows with discrepancies.

Step 1 – Create a Dataset

The first dataset is a Bank Statement: Transaction ID is the unique identification number of each transaction, Clients shows the name of the organization, Date has date information, and Amount holds the transaction amount.

The second dataset is General Ledger. It is an accountant record.

Match the General Ledger dataset with the Bank Statement dataset to reconcile the amount:

Step 2 – Calculate Differences Using the VLOOKUP Function

Insert a column in the General Ledger dataset.

Compare the Amount columns:

Find exact matches with the VLOOKUP function, and subtract the Amount of General Ledger from the Amount of the Bank Statement.

Select F5.
Enter the following formula:

=VLOOKUP(B5,'Bank Statement'!B5:E15,4, FALSE)-E5

Formula Breakdown

VLOOKUP(B5,’Bank Statement’!B5:E15,4, FALSE) → The VLOOKUP function searches for the exact match of Transaction ID betweeen both datasets and return the value.
- B5 is the lookup value: the Transaction ID of General Ledger.
- ‘Bank Statement’!B5:E15 is the lookup array: the whole dataset of Bank Statement.
- 4 is the column number of Amount.
- FALSE is the condition for an exact match.
  - Output → $26,800.00.
VLOOKUP(B5,’Bank Statement’!B5:E15,4,FALSE)-E5 → becomes
- $26,800.00-E5 → the Amount of both datasets is subtracted.
  - Output → $0.00.