What should I practice after reading this tutorial?

Rebuild the main example on a copy of your file, then change one argument at a time to see how the result changes. That builds muscle memory faster than rereading the steps.

Which Excel version do I need for the formulas in this article?

Most steps work in Excel 2016 and later. If the article mentions FILTER, UNIQUE, or XLOOKUP, you need Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 — check the linked function pages for compatibility.

Should I still learn VLOOKUP in 2026?

Yes for legacy files and teams on older Excel. Learn XLOOKUP as well if you use Microsoft 365 — many new models start there.

Tutorials - 2026-01-21

Master XLOOKUP: The Complete Guide to Excel's Most Powerful Lookup Function

Learn how XLOOKUP replaces VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and INDEX/MATCH with a single, powerful function. Includes real-world examples and best practices.

Introduction to XLOOKUP

XLOOKUP is Microsoft Excel's newest and most versatile lookup function, introduced in 2019. It was designed to replace VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and even the popular INDEX/MATCH combination. Why XLOOKUP is Better Searches in any direction - Unlike VLOOKUP (right only) or HLOOKUP (down only) Returns exact matches by default - No more FALSE argument needed Built-in error handling - The if_not_found parameter eliminates IFERROR wrappers Supports wildcards - Search with * and ? characters Can return multiple values - Return entire rows or columns Basic Syntax =XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode]) Example 1: Basic Lookup Find the price of a product: =XLOOKUP("Apple", A2:A10, C2:C10) Example 2: With Error Handling =XLOOKUP("Banana", A2:A10, C2:C10, "Product not found") Common Use Cases Product price lookups Employee data retrieval Inventory management Financial reporting

Apply this tutorial in your workbook

Copy one example from this article into a blank sheet. Change the sample ranges to match your column letters. Press F2 and Enter after edits so Excel recalculates. Compare your result to the expected output in the article. Related hubs: Excel functions directory · Formula guides · Function comparisons \nLookup help: XLOOKUP function · XLOOKUP tutorial · vs VLOOKUP \nLookup help: VLOOKUP function · VLOOKUP tutorial · Fix #N/A · vs XLOOKUP

Frequently asked questions

What should I practice after reading this tutorial? Rebuild the main example on a copy of your file, then change one argument at a time to see how the result changes. That builds muscle memory faster than rereading the steps.
Which Excel version do I need for the formulas in this article? Most steps work in Excel 2016 and later. If the article mentions FILTER, UNIQUE, or XLOOKUP, you need Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 — check the linked function pages for compatibility.
Should I still learn VLOOKUP in 2026? Yes for legacy files and teams on older Excel. Learn XLOOKUP as well if you use Microsoft 365 — many new models start there.