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MS Excel Lookup Functions. Southwest Florida Water Management District Data Analyst Interview. Mark Brady 11/19/2012. MS Excel Lookup Functions. MS Excel Lookup Functions. These are functions that operate on lists or arrays of data Data may reside in Workbooks, Databases, or text files
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MS Excel Lookup Functions Southwest Florida Water Management District Data Analyst Interview Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions • These are functions that operate on lists or arrays of data • Data may reside in Workbooks, Databases, or text files • Most functions can be nested or combined with other functions • Best used for simple data table relationships Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,range_lookup) lookup_value - The value to search in the first column of the table array table_array - Two or more columns of data( range or a range name). col_index_num - The column number in a table array containing target values range_lookup - A logical value that specifies whether you want to find an exact match or an approximate match Mark Brady 11/19/2012
An Example: Grassy Waters Preserve Rainfall Data MS Excel Lookup Functions Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,range_lookup) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 True – Exact Match False – Approximate Match Omitted – Approximate Match Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions VLOOKUP(BWPS_R,Rain_GrassyWaters,10,True) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 True – Exact Match False – Approximate Match Omitted – Approximate Match Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions Mark Brady 11/19/2012
MS Excel Lookup Functions Common Errors Encountered With VLOOKUP 1. You Have Your Numbers Formatted as Text 2. You Have a Trailing Space at the End of Your Values 3. You Forgot to Reference Lock Your Arrays 4. Your logical condition (range_lookup) is not appropriate Recommended Uses for VLOOKUP 1. As a simple query tool 2. As a user interface to data stored in separate files or databases 3. As a data validation tool (dynamic graph generation) 4. Complex queries are possible, but multiple nesting levels are often confusing to code and debug Mark Brady 11/19/2012
Just For Fun! MS Excel Lookup Functions Typical I.F.F.I. Workflow: Pronounced….[If-ee] Initiative (can I solve this problem with this tool?) Feedback from Peers Identify errors (logic, coding, etc) Implement Solutions Mark Brady 11/19/2012
Initiative Feedback MS Excel Lookup Functions YES!!! Initiate Solutions Identify Errors Mark Brady
MS Excel Lookup Functions Questions? Mark Brady 11/19/2012