VLOOKUP Resulting in #REF

Question

I have the following set up in Excel, and I am attempting to lookup the first column in the range A5:A7, and return column 8 (the rate) plus the custom rate.

I am using the following thus far and it returns the #REF! error.

=G11+VLOOKUP(A11,$A$5:$A$7,8)

So for instance, to in row 11, I am trying to find the word Flash under the Type in the range A5:A7, and return the rate that it has (column #8 or H).

It should result in $0.26.

I am new to Excel, so any help is appreciated! :)

Answer 1

You should use this one instead:

=G11+VLOOKUP(A11,$A$5:$H$7,8,0)

Note, that I use $A$5:$H$7 intead $A$5:$A$7. Second change is to add 4th parameter equals to 0. When this parameter is FALSE or 0, VLOOKUP will only find an exact match. In this case, the values in the first column of $A$5:$H$7 do not need to be sorted. But when you ommit this parameter - VLOOKUP searches for exact/approximate match and values should be sorted.