Is VLOOKUP an error?

When VLOOKUP can’t find a value in a lookup table, it returns the #N/A error. The IFERROR function allows you to catch errors and return your own custom value when there is an error. If VLOOKUP returns a value normally, there is no error and the looked up value is returned.

What is if error function in Excel?

The Excel IFERROR function returns a custom result when a formula generates an error, and a standard result when no error is detected. IFERROR is an elegant way to trap and manage errors without using more complicated nested IF statements. value – The value, reference, or formula to check for an error.

Why VLOOKUP is not working in Excel?

Problem: The lookup value is not in the first column in the table_array argument. In this case, Excel is looking for it in column A, not column B. Solution: You can try to fix this by adjusting your VLOOKUP to reference the correct column. If that’s not possible, then try moving your columns.

When does excel VLOOKUP fail to find a lookup value?

When Excel Vlookup fails to find a lookup value, it throws an #N/A error, like this: Depending on your business needs, you may want to disguise the error with your own text, zero, or a blank cell. Example 1. Iferror Vlookup formula to replace all errors with your own text

How to use error notation in VLOOKUP formula?

If you’d like to replace the standard error notation with your custom text, wrap your Vlookup formula in IFERROR, and type any text you want in the 2 nd argument ( value_if_error ), for example “Not found”: IFERROR (VLOOKUP ( … ),”Not found”)

When to use iferror vs VLOOKUP in Excel?

If you want to mask all possible errors, IFERROR Vlookup is the way to go. But it may be an unwise technique in many situations. For example, if you’ve created a named range for your table data, and misspelled that name in your Vlookup formula, IFERROR will catch a #NAME? error and replace it with “Not found” or any other text you supply.

How does the formula for VLOOKUP formula work?

How the formula works. The IFERROR function allows you to catch errors and return your own custom value when there is an error. If VLOOKUP returns a value normally, there is no error and the looked up value is returned. If VLOOKUP returns the #N/A error, IFERROR takes over and returns the value you supply.