VLOOKUP Across Sheets | VLOOKUP + INDIRECT | VLOOKUP MATCH | MIS Interview Question

Summary

In this tutorial on Microsoft Excel, the focus is on dynamically looking up data across different sheets using Excel functions. The video walks through a sample dataset with customer names and invoice numbers, explaining how to use functions like VLOOKUP and INDIRECT to retrieve information efficiently across multiple sheets. The tutorial demonstrates how to set up table arrays, adjust column index numbers, and apply dynamic referencing using the MATCH function. It concludes with a demonstration of how new data added in any sheet automatically updates the summary sheet, offering a seamless solution for large datasets.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learn how to perform dynamic data lookup across multiple sheets in Excel using various functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, and INDIRECT.
• 😀 Use of the `VLOOKUP` function to find invoice details based on customer names, helping automate the process of data retrieval.
• 😀 Locking cell references using `F4` helps fix certain data (like column numbers) while dragging formulas down or across in Excel.
• 😀 The importance of selecting the right 'table array' or data range, and fixing the reference to avoid errors when dealing with dynamic data.
• 😀 The `INDIRECT` function allows you to dynamically reference different sheets and columns, making the data retrieval more flexible.
• 😀 Understanding how to combine `MATCH` and `INDEX` functions to dynamically change column index numbers without manually editing formulas.
• 😀 When working with large datasets, formulas can be copied across rows and columns, automatically updating the data from multiple sheets.
• 😀 Changing the column index dynamically based on the data in other columns (e.g., retrieving product names using `MATCH` instead of manually typing column numbers).
• 😀 How to format the data after applying formulas, converting date formats to general formats for easier viewing and consistency.
• 😀 The video demonstrates how to handle situations where the data in one sheet is updated (like adding new invoice details) and how that update reflects across summary sheets automatically.
• 😀 The approach allows for seamless integration of new customer or invoice data without needing to update the formulas manually, saving time and reducing errors.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video focuses on teaching how to dynamically lookup data from different sheets in Microsoft Excel using various functions and techniques.

What is the first step in setting up the dynamic lookup?

The first step is to input the sample data, which consists of customer names in one column and invoice details in another column, with each customer's data located on separate sheets.

Why do we need to use the F4 key when setting the table range in the function?

The F4 key is used to fix the reference of the column number to ensure that the table range is locked when dragging the formula across cells. This avoids any accidental changes in the reference.

How does the INDIRECT function contribute to the dynamic lookup?

The INDIRECT function is used to dynamically refer to sheet names within the formula, allowing data to be pulled from various sheets based on the sheet name in the referenced cell.

What happens if the customer sheet reference is not fixed correctly?

If the customer sheet reference is not fixed correctly, the formula may not correctly reference the desired data, leading to errors or incorrect results in the lookup process.

What role does the MATCH function play in the dynamic lookup process?

The MATCH function helps in finding the position of a specific value (like an invoice number) within a specified range. This allows the formula to dynamically adjust the column index number as needed.

What is the purpose of changing the column index number in the formula?

The column index number determines which column's data should be returned from the lookup table. Changing it allows the formula to retrieve different data such as product names, prices, etc., based on the position of the column.

How can you apply the formula across multiple rows without manually changing the column index?

By using the MATCH function to dynamically calculate the column index number, you can apply the formula across multiple rows without needing to manually adjust the column index for each row.

Why should the format of the result be changed from date to general?

The format is changed from date to general to ensure that the data is displayed in the correct format (e.g., invoice number, product names) rather than being mistakenly interpreted as dates, which can lead to confusion or errors.

How does the dynamic lookup handle updates in the data across different sheets?

Whenever new data is added to any customer sheet (such as new invoice numbers or product information), the dynamic lookup will automatically reflect the changes in the summary sheet, ensuring the lookup data is always up-to-date.