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Data Analysis Intermediate Excel LOOKUP Functions LOOKUP Tips and Common Errors

Excel VLOOKUP: range_lookup=TRUE instead of FALSE

Hi, so a question about range_lookup: if for example, in the Housing Units column, I set it to TRUE instead of FALSE, then I get a ton of repeated values. Any idea why this is? The bigger question I'm looking at is, when would I choose TRUE, since it seems like FALSE is the better option.

Thank you!

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,198 Points

You use range lookup when you want the closest answer. You'll get duplicates, but every lookup will have a "match".

When it's FALSE you only get a match when it is exact. That eliminates the duplicates but then any value not found will cause the lookup to fail.