How do I return multiple values from a VLOOKUP?

As a seasoned tutor registered on UrbanPro.com, specializing in Microsoft Excel Training & Coaching, let's explore a technique to return multiple values from a VLOOKUP, providing a comprehensive solution to this common Excel challenge.

**1. Understanding the Challenge:

• Issue:
  • VLOOKUP is traditionally designed to return a single value, which can be limiting when you need to retrieve multiple values from the same lookup.

**2. Using Helper Columns:

• Solution:

  • Create helper columns to overcome the limitation and retrieve multiple values.

• Steps:

  1. Use a Unique Identifier:

     • Assign a unique identifier (e.g., ID or name) to each row of data in both the lookup table and the table where you want to return multiple values.

  2. Concatenate Helper Columns:

     • In both tables, create a helper column by concatenating the unique identifier with the data you want to retrieve.

  3. Perform VLOOKUP:

     • Use VLOOKUP on the concatenated helper columns to retrieve the concatenated data.

**3. Example:

• Scenario:

  • You have a table of employees with their IDs, names, and departments. You want to retrieve multiple departments for a list of employees.

• Implementation:

  1. Helper Column in Lookup Table:

     • In the lookup table, create a helper column by concatenating the ID with the department. (e.g., =A2 & "-" & C2)

  2. Helper Column in Target Table:

     • Similarly, create a helper column in the target table by concatenating the employee ID with a placeholder value. (e.g., =A2 & "-Placeholder")

  3. VLOOKUP:

     • Use VLOOKUP on the helper columns to retrieve the concatenated department values.

**4. Text to Columns (Optional):

• Enhancement:
  • If needed, you can use the Text to Columns feature to split the concatenated values into separate columns.

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