VLOOKUP Partial Match: Best 2 Examples to use VLOOKUP for partial match

Can you use VLOOKUP for partial match? Exploring VLOOKUP Partial Match in Excel is a great way for anyone to improve their data analysis  skills. Here we focus on what VLOOKUP Partial Match is all about and shares practical ways to use it. When you get comfortable with VLOOKUP Partial Match, it can really change how you work with Excel spreadsheets.

Exploring Partial match with VLOOKUP

VLOOKUP Partial Match in Excel is a handy function for everyone. Because it allows users to search for and get information based on partial data entries. This is especially useful if your dataset is large, complex or contains variations.

How VLOOKUP Partial Match Works

VLOOKUP Partial Match can match a portion of the lookup value within a specified range. Unlike the traditional VLOOKUP function, Partial Match VLOOKUP uses wildcard characters (* or ?) to find and return values that contain the specified pattern or characters. But classic Vlookup requires an exact match to return a value.

Applying VLOOKUP Partial Match in Real-World Scenarios

VLOOKUP Partial Match is super useful in many situations. Such as  when you need to reconcile records with slight name variations. Or you may need to pull information from datasets with incomplete entries. You can also use this formula for searching through large databases. It takes complex data analysis tasks and turns them into simpler processes.

Implementing VLOOKUP Partial Match: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you wanna use VLOOKUP Partial Match, you should understand its syntax.

Preparing Your Data

1. Now, you should assure data is structured in a good way. For that, the first column of your table array contains the values you want to match against.
2. Then, you should determine the partial information you have. Also you must state how it can be used to find the full data entry you need.

Syntax of VLOOKUP Partial Match

The syntax for incorporating Partial Match into VLOOKUP is as follows:

• lookup_value: The value you’re partially matching, concatenated with a wildcard character (* for any number of characters, ? for a single character).
• table_array: The range of cells containing your data.
• col_index_num: The column number from which to retrieve the value.
• FALSE: This ensures VLOOKUP searches for an approximate match.

Example 1: Simplifying Inventory Management

Situation: If you are merging inventory lists and product names vary slightly across lists. (e.g., “Widget A” vs. “Widget-A”).

Goal: You want to use VLOOKUP Partial Match to match different versions of product names.

How to Do It:

1. Data Setup: You should put the main inventory on Sheet1. And then place varied lists on Sheet2.
2. Formula: You should use this in Sheet1 next to the product names:
   =VLOOKUP("*" & A2 & "*", Sheet2!A:B, 2, FALSE)

   • A2 is the product name in Sheet1.
   • Sheet2!A:B is where you’re looking for matches.
   • 2 returns the quantity from Sheet2.
   • FALSE ensures you get the closest match.

Result: Excel finds all variations of “Widget A” and pulls related data.

Executing VLOOKUP Partial Match

With  understanding of the syntax, you can now apply VLOOKUP Partial Match for more efficient work.

Maximizing Efficiency with VLOOKUP Partial Match

If you wanna enhance your experience with VLOOKUP Partial Match, you may consider these tips to apply.

• Using wildcards wisely can really level up your VLOOKUP game. The asterisk (*) and question mark (?) wildcards are handy tools. And using them helps match the specific parts of your lookup values.
• Also, refining your data can make your analysis a lot smoother. You should clean your dataset before applying VLOOKUP Partial Match.
• In case you are combining VLOOKUP Partial Match with other Excel functions like IF or INDEX and MATCH, you can enhance formulas capabilities.

Example 1: Managing Inventory Lists

Now, try to picture yourself in charge of merging inventory lists from different sources into one complete document. Each source might use slightly different naming conventions for the same product. For example, Widget A in one list could be “Widget-A” or even “Widget A.” in another.

Objective: The goal is to simplify the inventory management process by bringing these records together using VLOOKUP Partial Match. This will help account for the variations in product names.

Steps:

1. You should prepare your master inventory list is in one sheet (Sheet1) with the first column containing the product names you want to standardize. Also, you must write varying inventory lists in another sheet (Sheet2) with product names and quantities.
2.  In a new column next to the product names in Sheet1, you will use the VLOOKUP function with a wildcard to find partial matches in Sheet2. For instance, if you’re looking up “Widget A” and want to match any variation of this name in Sheet2, your formula in Sheet1 might look like this:
   =VLOOKUP("*" & A2 & "*", Sheet2!A:B, 2, FALSE)


   In this formula, A2 contains “Widget A,” Sheet2!A:B is the range where you’re looking for the match. 2 means you’ are returning the second column from Sheet2 (presumably the quantity). And FALSE specifies an exact match. But it paradoxically works with wildcards for partial matching.

Outcome: So, Excel searches for any instance of “Widget A” within Sheet2 regardless of slight variations in naming. And it brings corresponding quantity. This process can be repeated for each item in your inventory.

VLOOKUP with IF statement in Excel: Can you do a VLOOKUP with two conditions?

Example 2: Enhancing Customer Data Retrieval

Situation: You are in customer service with a vast database. You need to find records with only partial names (e.g., “John” for “Jonathan Doe”).

Goal: But you want to improve customer service by quickly finding records with partial names.

How to Do It:

1. You can assume customer names are in Sheet1 and in column A.
2.  When looking for “John”, you should type below formula elsewhere:
   =VLOOKUP("*John*", Sheet1!A:D, 4, FALSE)

   • This searches for “John” anywhere in the names.
   • It looks in Sheet1, columns A to D.
   • 4 means it pulls info from the fourth column (e.g., last purchase).

Result: This method creates fast retrieval of customer info using just a fragment of their name.

Common VLOOKUP Partial Match Issues

When you encounter issues with VLOOKUP Partial Match, actually, it is part of the learning process. Here are solutions to common issues you can look at.

• #N/A Errors: These errors often occur when the lookup value does not exist within the table array. So, you should double-check your data and ensure you are using the correct wildcard characters.
• Inaccurate Results: Mistakes in using wildcards or incorrect column index numbers can lead to wrong outputs. Thus, every time you should review your formula and data organization.

How to Use VLOOKUP for Partial Match?

You can use VLOOKUP for a partial match in Excel. This is about using wildcard characters such as the asterisk (*) for multiple characters. Or the question mark (?) for a single character in your lookup value. When you incorporate these wildcards into your lookup value, VLOOKUP can search for and return results that partially match the specified criteria.

VLOOKUP with Not an Exact Match?

VLOOKUP can handle searches in case they are not exact match. To do this, you usually set the fourth argument in the VLOOKUP function to TRUE. Because it tells Excel you want an approximate match. But when it comes to partial text matches, using wildcard characters in the lookup value along with the fourth argument set to FALSE is your way. This way, VLOOKUP looks for a specific pattern instead of needing an exact match.

How to Match a Partial Match in Excel?

To match a partial match in Excel, you can use functions like VLOOKUP with wildcards for text strings. Or, you can use more advanced functions such as SEARCH or FIND within an IF statement. The choice  depends on the specific requirements of task.

How Do I Do a VLOOKUP Wildcard?

To do a VLOOKUP with a wildcard:

1. You should Include the wildcard character (* or ?) in your lookup value within the VLOOKUP formula.
2. And you need to set the fourth argument of the VLOOKUP function to FALSE to force an exact match search mode. Because it paradoxically allows the wildcard to function.

For example:

This formula searches for the value in A1 anywhere within the strings in column B. And it returns the corresponding value from column C.

Using VLOOKUP for Approximate Matches?

For approximate matches, you should set the fourth argument of the VLOOKUP function to TRUE. And you must check the first column of your lookup array is sorted in ascending order.

How to Do Fuzzy Matching in Excel?

Fuzzy matching is not something you can do directly with a simple Excel function like VLOOKUP. But there is a super cool tool called the Fuzzy Lookup add-in. This add-in finds matches that aren’t exactly perfect by comparing how similar two sets of data are. It is especially useful when you are trying to merge data with typographical errors or different naming.

How to Do a VLOOKUP If Text Is Partial?

For partial texts, you should incorporate a wildcard (* for any sequence of characters or ? for a single character) in the lookup value argument. And you need to set exact match parameter to FALSE. This setup will search for a string containing partial text specified.