What is Vlookup in Norwegian?
Vlookup (Vertical lookup) is called “Finn Rad” in Norwegian, and it is a mathematical function in Google Sheet / Excel that makes it very easy to search through one or more columns in large spreadsheets to find the information you are looking for. The reason it is called vertical lookup is that the function searches for the specified value vertically (in the columns). It is the opposite of the Hlookup function.
What does the FINN.RAD function consist of?
The FINN.RAD formula consists of the following four elements:
=VLOOKUP(What you want to search for, the range you want to search in, which column you want it to return, return an approximate or exact match)
The easiest way to learn this function is to demonstrate it with a very simple example. Below, we have a table with three columns and three rows.
Example 1: "Find the value 1 when you have the value A" using the VLOOKUP function
=VLOOKUP(A1 or “A”,A1:D3,2,FALSE / TRUE / Blank) → 1
The first thing we want is for the function to find the row that contains A, and we do this by selecting cell A1. We then want it to search in the range A1:D3, as this is the entire area for this task. Next, we want it to return column 2, and we set it to FALSE because we want an exact match. And as if by magic, you will now get the value 1.
Example 2: Find the value 8 using the FINN.rad function
=VLOOKUP(A3 or "C",A1:D3,3,FALSE) → 8
As before, we want to find the value C, since this is the row where 8 is located. We then select the entire lookup range and retrieve column 3. Finally, you set FALSE, and you should magically get the value 8.
You can now create your own spreadsheet and repeat the exercise until you feel you truly understand how the formula is set up.
What can I use VLOOKUP for in Google Sheets and Excel?
There are many different use cases for this function. Here, we have listed some examples of situations where we at Solid Media make use of this useful formula:
- Compare two spreadsheets against each other and quickly identify which data appears in both sets
- Import data from one spreadsheet to another
- Perform advanced SEO analyses very efficiently
- Etc.
Summary
The feature we have reviewed here is highly beneficial, but it does require some practice before you fully master it. Perhaps you already see that you can eliminate tasks you are currently doing manually? Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vlookup stand for?
The term stands for “vertical lookup” and refers to a mathematical function in Google Sheets / Excel that makes it very easy for you to search through one or more columns in large spreadsheets to find the information you are looking for!
What is Vlookup in Norwegian?
It can be directly translated as “Find Row”, since the function searches vertically (in the column) in a spreadsheet.
