First of all, let me clarify one thing. VLOOKUP with multiple criteria is not only possible but also incredibly useful in Google Sheets! There are two aspects to the usage of VLOOKUP with multiple criteria, and I’m going to illustrate both in this article.
VLOOKUP Multiple Criteria from a Single Column
If you are looking to use the VLOOKUP formula with more than one criterion from a single column, you can find all the details in our guide on How to Use VLOOKUP to Return an Array Result in Google Sheets. This method is perfect when you need to search for specific values that meet multiple conditions.
VLOOKUP Multiple Criteria from Multiple Columns
In this scenario, you can use two different methods to deal with multiple criteria or search keys in VLOOKUP in Google Sheets. Let’s dive into the examples and the different approaches you can take.
The Simple Approach to VLOOKUP with Multiple Criteria in Google Sheets
To illustrate this approach, here is a sample dataset that you can replicate in your own Google Sheet.
Now, let’s say we want to search for two criteria in the first two columns. How can we do that?
The simple approach involves adding an additional column, also known as a helper column, to your dataset. In the example above, the helper column is labeled “Additional lookup Column.” This column contains the combined cell values from columns B and C.
By combining the criteria from cells A2 and B2 in the VLOOKUP formula, you can search for multiple criteria without any additional modifications. With this simple approach, you can easily achieve your desired results.
VLOOKUP with Multiple Criteria in Google Sheets Using ArrayFormula
If you want a more advanced and recommended method to deal with multiple criteria in Google Sheets, you can use ArrayFormula. ArrayFormula allows you to nest formulas and combine them with VLOOKUP to handle complex queries.
Before diving into this trick, I recommend familiarizing yourself with ArrayFormula, IFERROR, and Curly Braces. Once you understand these concepts, you can utilize them together with VLOOKUP.
Here is an example formula that showcases the usage of multiple criteria with ArrayFormula and VLOOKUP:
=ARRAYFORMULA(IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2&B2, {A5:A&B5:B, C5:G}, 6, 0 ), 0))The above formula combines the criteria from cells A2 and B2, performs a VLOOKUP search within the range A5:A and B5:B, and returns the corresponding value from column G. If no match is found, the formula returns 0.
With ArrayFormula, you can easily adapt this formula to include three or more criteria as needed. Simply modify the formula to include additional criteria in the same pattern:
=ARRAYFORMULA(IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2&B2&C2, {A5:A&B5:B&C5:C, D5:G}, 5, 0 ), 0))And that’s it! You now know how to use VLOOKUP with multiple criteria in Google Sheets. With these techniques, you can handle complex searches and retrieve the data you need efficiently.
To learn more about VLOOKUP and its advanced capabilities, check out our additional resources:
- Comparison of VLOOKUP Formula in Excel and Google Sheets
- How to VLOOKUP a Date Range in Google Sheets [Sorted/Unsorted Data]
- How to Highlight VLOOKUP Result Value in Google Sheets
- How to Perform Two-way Lookup Using VLOOKUP in Google Sheets
- Lookup, VLOOKUP, and HLOOKUP Differences in Google Sheets
Now that you have mastered VLOOKUP with multiple criteria, you can take your Google Sheets skills to the next level. Happy searching!
