Formula guide · Excel · Updated May 13, 2026
How to Use XLOOKUP in Excel
Use XLOOKUP to find a value in one column and return a related value from another column.
Quick Answer
Use XLOOKUP when you need an exact match, want a custom not-found message, or need to look left without rearranging columns.
Copyable Formula
=XLOOKUP(E2,A2:A8,C2:C8,"Not found")Syntax
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])Excel
Worked Example
| A | B | C | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKU | Product | Price | Lookup SKU |
| A-101 | Keyboard | $49 | A-103 |
| A-102 | Mouse | $25 | |
| A-103 | Monitor | $210 |
Result: Returns $210 because A-103 is found in A2:A8 and the matching price is in C2:C8.
Steps
- Put the value you want to find in the first argument.
- Select the column or row where that value should be found.
- Select the return range with the answer you want.
- Add a clear not-found message so the result is easier to read.
Common Mistakes
- Using return_array with a different size than lookup_array.
- Forgetting that XLOOKUP defaults to exact match.
- Expecting it to work in older Excel versions that do not support XLOOKUP.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
This page is focused on Excel. If you need Google Sheets compatibility, check whether your Sheets account supports the same function or use one of the related alternatives.
FAQ
Is XLOOKUP better than VLOOKUP?
Usually yes for new Excel work because it supports exact match by default, left lookup, and cleaner error handling.
Does XLOOKUP work in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets has XLOOKUP in many accounts, but FILTER and INDEX/MATCH are still common alternatives.
Can XLOOKUP return multiple columns?
Yes. If return_array spans multiple columns, Excel can spill the matching row across nearby cells.