For many, the INDEX-XMATCH combination in Excel is the go-to method for retrieving a value from a dataset. However, you can also use this dynamic duo to perform two-way lookups, returning a value at ...

Much like other functions, however, the trick to using VLOOKUP effectively is knowing what commands and values to use in what order. Again, much like programming languages.

For example, if you want Excel to find the string "POC135," change the formula to:=VLOOKUP ("POC135", E3:H10, 3, FALSE) Replace unknown characters in the string with question marks, which ...