VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP: See When Each One Breaks
Should you still use VLOOKUP? Try both lookups on a live example table and see exactly where VLOOKUP fails and XLOOKUP doesn't.
Open the free VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP →What is the VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP?
Try both lookups on a live example table and see exactly when each one breaks. It's completely free, needs no sign-up and works on any phone or computer.
Why it's helpful
- Live side-by-side example
- Shows common VLOOKUP mistakes
- Learn XLOOKUP quickly
Who it's for
Excel users of every level.
How to use it
- Pick a code and a column to see both formulas and their results.
- Tick “Insert a new column B” to see the classic VLOOKUP mistake.
💻 Open source: this tool is free and open source (MIT License). View the code on GitHub, download it and run it offline.
The bigger picture: Excel & CSV
Spreadsheets still run most offices. Cleaning data, converting formats and understanding formulas are daily tasks that eat hours; the right tool turns them into seconds.
What's changing: Excel and Google Sheets keep adding powerful functions like XLOOKUP, FILTER and LET, plus AI helpers. Knowing the fundamentals makes those features far more useful.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Sheets have XLOOKUP?
Yes, since 2022.
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