Have you ever wondered if you can transform the Match function to Vlookup or Hlookup in Google Sheets? Well, I have good news for you! It is indeed possible to use Match as an alternative to these popular functions. And guess what? I’m going to share this juiciest secret with you!
The Magic of Match
Before we dive into the transformation process, let’s quickly recap what the Match function does. Typically, Match returns the relative position of a search key in a horizontal row or vertical column. However, by leveraging the power of the Indirect and Char functions, we can take Match to a whole new level!
Transforming Match to Vlookup or Hlookup
The transformation process is super simple and can be applied to both Google Sheets and Excel. Let’s break it down into easy-to-follow steps:
Step 1: Lookup with Vlookup
Let’s say we want to lookup the search key “France” in column B and return its corresponding “Apple production (tonnes)” from column C. Usually, we would use the conventional Vlookup formula like this:
=VLOOKUP(E4,B5:C18,2,0)But here’s the exciting part! We can transform this formula into a Match combo formula that offers some advantages over Vlookup. Instead of Vlookup, use the following formula:
=INDIRECT("C"&MATCH(E4,B1:B18,0))And voila! You have successfully transformed the Match function into a powerful alternative to Vlookup.
Step 2: Looking Up with Hlookup
Now, let’s move on to transforming Match into Hlookup. The process is slightly different because we are dealing with a row instead of a column. Here’s how it works:
- Use the Match function to return the relative position of the search key “France” in the row. The formula would look like this:
=MATCH("France",A4:P4,0)- Convert the relative position into a column number. You can do this by adding 64 to the Match output and using the Char function. Here’s the formula:
=CHAR(64+MATCH("France",A4:P4,0))- Extract the value in the desired row (in this case, row 5). Combine the column letter with the row number to get the cell address. Use the Indirect function to retrieve the value. The final formula would be:
=INDIRECT(CHAR(64+MATCH("France",A4:P4,0))&5)And just like that, you have transformed the Match function into a powerful alternative to Hlookup.
Benefits of Using Match as an Alternative
Using Match as an alternative to Vlookup or Hlookup comes with some distinct benefits. Let’s explore them:
1. Lookup Left of the Search Key
With the Match function, you can easily perform a left-side lookup. This means you can find values to the left of the search key. Although Vlookup and Indirect-Match can also achieve this, using Match in this way is pretty cool and adds some variety to your formulas.
2. Conditional Formatting
Since we generate the cell address using Match and then use the Indirect function, it becomes incredibly useful for Conditional Formatting. You can highlight intersecting values, apply two-way lookups, and more. The possibilities are endless!
So there you have it – a powerful transformation technique that allows you to use Match as an alternative to Vlookup and Hlookup in Google Sheets and Excel.
Now it’s your turn to master this cool tip and share it with your friends. Remember to visit Crawlan.com for more amazing insights and secrets. Enjoy transforming your Match functions like a pro!
