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    HLOOKUP

    Lookup & Reference

    Searches for a value in the first row of a table and returns a value in the same column from a row you specify.

    Translations
    EnglishHLOOKUP
    FrenchRECHERCHEH
    SpanishBUSCARH
    GermanWVERWEIS
    ItalianCERCA.ORIZZ
    PortuguesePROCH
    DutchHORIZ.ZOEKEN
    PolishWYSZUKAJ.POZIOMO
    RussianГПР
    TurkishYATAYARA
    CzechVVYHLEDAT
    HungarianVKERES
    SwedishLETAKOLUMN
    DanishVOPSLAG
    FinnishVHAKU
    Syntax
    HLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, row_index_num, [range_lookup])

    Arguments

    • lookup_valueThe value to search for in the first row
    • table_arrayThe table range containing the data
    • row_index_numThe row number to return the value from
    • range_lookupTRUE for approximate match, FALSE for exact match(optional)
    Examples
    =HLOOKUP("Q1",A1:E5,3,FALSE)
    Q1 data

    Finds 'Q1' in row 1 and returns value from row 3

    =HLOOKUP(2023,A1:Z10,5,FALSE)
    Year data

    Looks up year 2023 and returns row 5 data

    =HLOOKUP("Sales",Data,2,FALSE)
    Sales value

    Finds 'Sales' header and returns row 2

    Tips & Best Practices
    • •HLOOKUP works best when your data is organized in rows, not columns
    • •Less common than VLOOKUP as most data is organized vertically
    • •Consider transposing your data or using INDEX/MATCH instead
    Common Mistakes
    • •Leaving range_lookup blank or set to TRUE, which returns the closest match instead of an exact one, with no warning that it wasn't exact
    • •Forgetting HLOOKUP searches horizontally across the top row, so it can only return values from rows below the one it searches, never above
    • •Copying the formula across columns with a relative table_array reference, which shifts the search table for each copy instead of keeping it fixed
    Related Functions
    VLOOKUPDoes the same job but searches vertically down a column instead of across a row.
    INDEXMore flexible lookup that can search in either direction without HLOOKUP's row limitations.
    XLOOKUPModern replacement that searches in either direction and defaults to exact match.
    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the difference between HLOOKUP and VLOOKUP?

    HLOOKUP searches across the top row of a table and pulls a value down from a specified row number. VLOOKUP searches down the first column and pulls a value from a specified column number.

    Can HLOOKUP return a value from a row above the one it searches?

    No, just like VLOOKUP can only look right, HLOOKUP can only look down from the row it searches - it can't pull from rows above the header row.

    Should I use HLOOKUP or XLOOKUP for a horizontal search?

    XLOOKUP if it's available in your Excel version - it handles both directions, defaults to exact match, and doesn't break when columns are inserted.

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