How do I only get valid "answers" in a VLOOKUP function (no #N/A's

S

SWEdwards

I use a lot of VLOOKUP functions in formulas and am frustrated by the #N/A
results whenever the value I'm looking for isn't in the reference list range.
Is there a simple way to have a formula leave the result blank if the value
isn't found?
 
B

Biff

Hi!

One way:

=IF(COUNTIF(A1:A100,lookup_value),VLOOKUP(lookup_value,A1:B100,2 0),"")

Biff
 
K

korenie.cierne

Hi,
try to use ISERROR function:

=IF(ISERROR(VLOOKUP(A1;Sheet1!$A$2:$C$11;2;0));0;VLOOKUP(A1;Sheet1!A2:C11;2;0))

Marian
http:\\skolenieexcel.host.sk
 
B

Biff

Hi!

While both your suggestion and Gary"s "work", neither is as efficient as my
suggestion.

Why execute 2 lookups when the lookup_value is present?

Using Countif to verify that the lookup_values exsists is faster than using
IF(ISERROR or IF(ISNA.

Biff
 
R

Ragdyer

I remember reading a couple of years ago that a speed test showed that an
ISNA plus Match() combination was a more efficient error check then
Countif(), while either one of them was definitely much faster then a double
Vlookup().
 
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