Excel: LOOKUP Function

LOOKUP function in Excel performs an approximate match lookup in a one-column or one-row range, and returns the corresponding value from another one-column or one-row range. LOOKUP's default behavior makes it useful for solving certain problems in Excel. LOOKUP has default behaviors that make it useful when solving certain problems. For example, LOOKUP can be used to retrieve an approximate-matched value instead of a position and to find the last value in a row or column. LOOKUP assumes that values in lookup_vector are sorted in ascending order and always performs an approximate match. When LOOKUP can't find a match, it will match the next smallest value. The LOOKUP function accepts three arguments: lookup_value, lookup_vector, and result_vector. The first argument, lookup_value, is the value to look for. The second argument, lookup_vector, is a one-row, or one-column range to search. LOOKUP assumes that lookup_vector is sorted in ascending order. The third argument, result_vector, is a one-row, or one-column range of results. Result_vector is optional. When result_vector is provided, LOOKUP locates a match in the lookup_vector, and returns the corresponding value from result_vector. If result_vector is not provided, LOOKUP returns the value of the match found in lookup_vector.

Arguments of LOOKUP Function: 

• lookup_value - The value to search for.
• lookup_vector - The one-row, or one-column range to search.
• result_vector - [optional] The one-row, or one-column range of results.