Col Index Num. We hardcode it within the vlookup formula like vlookup id data 3 0. If we remove or add a column before or after the 3rd column the 3rd column will not refer to the intended column anymore.
In our example column g uses attorney the lookup value to get the bill rate data from the fourth column col index num 4 from the attorneys worksheet table tblattorneys the table array with the formula vlookup attorney tbl attorneys 4 false. If false vlookup will only find an exact match. The above vlookup function returns the price for cornflakes which is 3 50.
The lookup value is the text string cornflakes which is located in cell d2.
Col index num is a required parameter in vlookup function in excel. You can use the column function to quickly determine the col index num of the vlookup formula without having to count columns. The col index num is set to 2 to denote that the value returned should be taken from column 2 of the table array. Copy the formula for remaining column names using ctrl d or dragging down from the right bottom edge the used cell.
