Vlookup wildcard partial match vba Any help is appreciated! In performing a partial match with VLOOKUP, we make use of the wildcard character asterisk “*”. Aug 29, 2020 · Excel VLOOKUP wildcard all search help to lookup the value or result based on any character in the cell. Users can use the VLOOKUP wildcard characters in scenarios such as looking up the first name in a lookup range of texts containing first and last names. In the example shown, the formula in H7 is: =TRANSPOSE((XLOOKUP(H4,D5:D15,B5:E15,"Not found",2))) which performs a wildcard match with the value in H4 and returns all 4 fields as the result. From simple wildcards to complex regular expressions, the methods outlined above provide flexible options to suit various scenarios. Sections: Wildcards Question Mark May 2, 2025 · What might work for you to resolve 85 Io asteroid (with numeric prefix) vs Io moon is instead of using a wildcard search first search for an exact match on given string s (if found you are done), and if it fails then prefix it with a wildcard and a single space "* "&s that ought to ensure you don't get partial matches inside other words. Download a free workbook and practice yourself. And wildcards work well for numeric and text values. Aug 19, 2025 · Learn how to look up partial text matches in Excel using VLOOKUP with wildcards, INDEX & MATCH combo, and IF for conditional results. Master flexible conditional logic Overview VLOOKUP wildcards allow you to find partial matches when you don't know the exact lookup value. Apparently Excel interprets the? Jun 16, 2024 · Learn to find Fuzzy Match using the VLOOKUP function of Excel. Even if full value does not match we can lookup the value based on any character of the cell. Mar 14, 2023 · Excel wildcard VLOOKUP formula When you need to look for a value that does not have an exact match in the source data, you can use wildcard characters to find a partial match. VLOOKUP looks for the exact match of the lookup value ‘Sachin’ but fails to find it in the main table range A1:B7. e. And for this, I have listed 5 real-life examples which can help you to understand this combination. Dec 30, 2023 · Find Partial Match in Two Columns Using VBA Code in Excel Using the programming language VBA in Microsoft Excel, you may automate processes, develop unique functions, and create applications. In this example, we'll find someone's email address based on the first characters of their name: Excel VLOOKUP function returns a value corresponding to the partial match with Lookup value in data. Guide to VLOOKUP Partial Match. Aug 16, 2023 · The asterisk (*) wildcard will help you to run Google Sheets VLOOKUP function with partial match of the text with the exact dataset. If there is a match, then I want to output the formal name from Column E in Column B next to the cell having a match. Jan 22, 2022 · If Range_lookup is False, the VLookup method will only find an exact match. This trick is perfect for searching names, codes, or anything fuzzy You'll learn all the Excel Vlookup Wildcard, how to use them in your worksheets, as well as some great examples. The set of characters could be 2 or 3 characters. In the example shown, the formula in E6 is: =MATCH ("*"&E5&"*",TEXT (data,"0"),0) where data is the named range B5:B15. It is a more robust and flexible successor to the MATCH function. This method will find cells that contain the entire lookup value within a larger string. This tutorial will walk through the process of finding partia Reading Time: 3 minutesIn the world of spreadsheets, lookup functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and LOOKUP are indispensable tools for finding and retrieving data based on specific criteria. Jul 13, 2024 · XLOOKUP is a powerful Excel function that allows you to search for specific data in a range or table. Aug 30, 2024 · With VLOOKUP in Excel, you can quickly find things in a big list. Jul 1, 2018 · If you want your partial text matches to work, you’ll want to use wildcards. Vlookup wildcard partial match will also help to get the result based on first character, last character May 21, 2024 · Learn different ways to search with partial match by INDEX and MATCH functions in Excel with relevant examples and explanations step by step. Feb 3, 2025 · This article demonstrates formulas that let you perform partial matches based on multiple strings and return those strings if all match the same cell. Here we explain how to use it in Excel VBA with error handling, examples and downloadable template. Need to do a partial match on set of characters emdedded in parentheses and match to a table and return the property type. A question mark matches any single character; an asterisk matches any sequence of characters. Jul 18, 2016 · I want to search for the partial string (case insensitive) from Column D in the Reported Name Column A. The result is 7 since the number in B11 (the seventh row in data) contains 99. Includes downloadable file! Jan 3, 2018 · Here's how to efficiently perform partial match using VLOOKUP in Excel! Learn how to retrieve specific data based on partial criteria. Aug 30, 2024 · How to use wildcards with VLOOKUP Using the VLOOKUP function, you can search for a value from any dataset in Excel. Feb 20, 2018 · You can use wildcards in VLOOKUP like the asterisk * for any amount of characters or the ? for one character. Using wildcards with XLOOKUP enhances its flexibility, enabling you to perform partial matches and more complex searches. You could type the start, end, or middle of a lookup value and still return a result. The syntax of the XLOOKUP function is as follows: In Excel, use VLOOKUP with a partial match to find a string value that contains a certain criteria. This is where wildcard characters become invaluable. However i would like the lookup to work with a wildcard ie not require an exact match. Using asterisk (*) and question mark (?) wildcards, you can search for patterns, partial text, and flexible matches. Or, you can use more advanced functions such as SEARCH or FIND within an IF statement. The TRANSPOSE function is optional and used here only to convert the result from XLOOKUP to a vertical array. Wildcards are used to make more sophisticated partial matches. Jan 30, 2025 · The image above shows how to VLOOKUP using a partial match, the first value in cell range B3:B15 that ends with a 4 match. Match. A comparable VBA function that you might have more luck with is Filter. Also, I want to output the Type from Column F in Column C next to the May 20, 2022 · This article will demonstrate how to use the VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP functions in VBA. Mar 2, 2023 · 今回の記事はExcel(エクセル)｜VLOOKUP関数でワイルドカードで部分一致させる方法について紹介します。 通常、VLOOKUP関数で使用する検索値は、探す範囲の値とすべて一致する必要があります。 Nov 27, 2020 · Hello, I need fast way to Match names on List #1 to a List #2 with same or similar match name and give me an Company number. Feb 8, 2023 · Partial Match VLOOKUP (Text Contains) By using the asterisk “wildcard” (*), within a VLOOKUP, we can lookup values that contain (partial match) certain text, instead of values that match the lookup text exactly. FALSE means exact match and TRUE means approximate match. Having trouble trying to place the wild card. It can look up both vertically and horizontally and perform an exact match (default), approximate (closest) match, or wildcard (partial) match. May 1, 2025 · Learn Excel lookup techniques to find partial text matches easily using functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, and wildcards, making data search and retrieval efficient with approximate matching and fuzzy lookup methods. I wanted to try to make a dynamic array formula solution. This tutorial will demonstrate how to perform a partial match VLOOKUP in Excel. Method 1 – VLOOKUP Fuzzy Match using wildcards (entire lookup_value matching) Let’s go through the process step by step of using VLOOKUP with wildcards to perform a fuzzy match in Excel. So if your search term is Donald Trump but you want to find also Donald John Trump then you need to add an asterisk Donald *Trump: Use VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and other functions like INDEX and MATCH to search for and find data based on values you enter. Jul 14, 2021 · I'm pretty lost with something I have to do with Excel. Mar 14, 2023 · The tutorial shows how to make Excel IF statement with wildcard text and get it to work for partial matches. This powerful technique allows you to efficiently retrieve multiple related data points based on partial text criteria, streamlining data analysis and enhancing your spreadsheet accuracy. However, by combining the wildcard character asterisk, we can perform VLOOKUP partial match in the main table. So, what exactly is an approximate match? Aug 15, 2011 · Krishnakumar Super Moderator Reactions Received 3 Points 23,763 Trophies 1 Posts 4,711 Location Gurugram/God's own country August 16, 2011 at 6:56 AM #7 Re: Vlookup, partial match, wildcard, workbook Hi, Thanks for the feedback :cheers: Kris Excel Fox AAE Points 46,430 Trophies 1 Posts 9,223 August 16, 2011 at 12:25 PM #8 Re: Vlookup, partial Jan 31, 2024 · We’ll learn three different ways to do this. I assume that you are already familiar with Vlookup, if you aren't, then checkout our tutorials on lookup functions in Excel. I am trying VLOOKUP formula =VLOOKUP (A2&"*",DATA,2,FALSE) but I don't think it works since my results were all… The VLOOKUP function is one of the most popular functions in Excel. We know it can be TRUE or FALSE. Aug 29, 2020 · Excel VLOOKUP wildcard beginning search help to lookup the value or result based on beginning of the characters. Filter(sourcearray, match, [ include, [ compare ]]) May 11, 2024 · To perform a partial match with XLOOKUP, supply 2 for the match mode argument to allow wildcards. Jul 3, 2024 · Partial match string in excel is done by using the VLOOKUP, the XLOOKUP , the INDEX MATCH combo , IF OR, IF ISNUMBER SEARCH combo functions. Dec 27, 2016 · It's worth noting the two other changes that you've made to the original formula: using 1 instead of 2 as the column number from which to retrieve a matching value, since B$2:B$22 is only one column wide; and changing the fourth "range lookup" argument of VLOOKUP to FALSE, since you want an exact match on the first three characters. Jan 22, 2022 · If match_type is 0 and lookup_value is text, you can use the wildcard characters, question mark (?) and asterisk (*), in lookup_value. For example, if a keyword is "Open", then the column containing "Open & closed" would be deleted, which is not what I want. Excel’s VLOOKUP supports wildcards, letting you create dynamic, flexible searches that don’t require exact values. If you’ve ever wanted to perform a partial match in Excel — like finding any cell that contains the word “Smith” — you’re in luck. Guide to VBA Index Match. 3 days ago · VLOOKUP, by default, does not offer built-in partial matching capabilities, which often leads to confusion or incorrect results. Jun 3, 2021 · The VLOOKUP function supports wildcards, which makes it possible to perform a partial match on a lookup value. Using VLOOKUP with wildcards but encountering no matches. This article will explain how to use wildcards with XLOOKUP, providing step-by-step instructions, examples, and best practices. An example of Name1 would be "IT executive Sally Lim" An example of Name2 would be "Sally Lim" Name1 = Sep 27, 2024 · Master Excel formula for partial matches using VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, Filter and more Examples. Often, these lookups require an exact match, but there are many occasions when you might want to search using partial matches or patterns instead. It works by showing you matching info from the same row but another column. Apr 7, 2025 · Excel VLOOKUP wildcard with partial match vs approximate match Now, you may be thinking – VLOOKUP itself has a setting that allows looking for only an approximate match. It's also too difficult to predefine every value; there are 130,000 unique "masks". Cell B7 contains "AA-1534", the VLOOKUP formula returns the value on the same row from column E, in this case, value 21. Jan 13, 2015 · I am looking to write a bit of code using the Vlookup function to return a value to an adjacent column. Number Advanced vlookup – Wildcard Characters “?” and “*” Alternative to vlookup – Index and Match Three different ways to do case-sensitive lookup Feb 2, 2024 · Excel XLOOKUP function - syntax and uses The XLOOKUP function in Excel searches a range or an array for a specified value and returns the related value from another column. This powerful technique is essential for working with inconsistent data or when you need to find approximate text matches. Even if full value does not match we can lookup the value based on beginning character. 15 hours ago · How to Use VLOOKUP for Partial Match in Excel: 4 Suitable Methods Excel’s VLOOKUP function is one of the most widely used tools for retrieving data based on a lookup value. However, when the requirement involves partial matches—where the lookup value is a fragment of the data or the data contains substrings—VLOOKUP’s What You’ll Learn: Partial match lookup How to use wildcards in Excel Smart XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP trick Fast data searching Excel tips by Excel Tricks Subscribe for more Mastering partial string matching in Excel unlocks a realm of possibilities for data analysis, cleaning, and reporting. Oct 9, 2024 · To solve the problem, you can use a VLOOKUP formula together with wildcard characters - the asterisk (*) and question mark (?). Vlookup wildcard match help to find if cell contains a word within text or partial match. The VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP functions in Excel are extremely useful. Here we have a list of names and want to find a name that contains “ake”. It handles exact matches and approximate matches quite efficiently. We learn how to use the Index Match Function in VBA as alternative to VLOOKUP with examples & downloadable template. Jul 21, 2025 · Unlock Excel's IF Cell Contains power! Get 25 real-world formulas & examples to check for partial text, multiple words, numbers, & more. Common Scenarios Where Partial Match Failures Occur Attempting to find substrings within table data using VLOOKUP. Sections: Vlookup Match the Start of a Cell Vlookup Match the End of a Cell Vlookup Match Anywhere in the Cell Notes Introduction to Partial String Matching in Excel Identifying a partial match between disparate datasets is a foundational requirement for effective data analysis and cleaning tasks within Excel. I need to make a recursive lookup between two tables to find a match, and insert a specific value in one cell. In this example, we are going to look up the IDs that start with specific characters, and return their prices from column B. Aug 15, 2024 · Learn how to use VLOOKUP for a partial match in any table array of Excel. Example: Using Wildcards in VLOOKUP Imagine you have the following dataset: What Is VLOOKUP With Wildcard in Excel? The VLOOKUP wildcard characters enable one to lookup value using the VLOOKUP () with a partial match. In the next example, I show yo Feb 4, 2021 · The wildcards are not in the same places most of the time, and the length of each string varies throughout. Includes 5 VBA code examples you can easily use right now. ? (question mark): Matches a single character. They Dec 20, 2017 · We started this series by looking at the 4th argument. Jun 4, 2025 · The Excel XMATCH function performs a lookup and returns a position of a value in a range. XMATCH supports approximate and exact matching, reverse search, and wildcards (* ?) for partial matches. For instance, you can use VLOOKUP to retrieve values from a table based on typing in only part of a lookup value. TeachExcel explained how to perform a Vlookup (vertical search/return) for partial string matches and return all results using a non-Office 365 approach. Enjoy learning! Feb 23, 2017 · When combined with VLOOKUP we can create a very powerful lookup/search feature. Here are some examples of partial match with vlookup and how the wildcard character work and downloadable excel template. You put wildcards in functions, usually in the criteria argument, and this allows you to find partial matches for words, numbers, and characters. Mar 25, 2022 · Microsoft Excel’s XLOOKUP() is powerful, but combined with wildcards, it’s also flexible. In performing a partial match with VLOOKUP, we make use of the wildcard character asterisk “*”. This is an array formula and must be entered with Control Nov 18, 2024 · Using VLOOKUP with Wildcards for Partial Matches Wildcards are an effective way to handle partial text searches in Excel. By using the asterisk “wildcard” (*), within a VLOOKUP, we can lookup values that contain (partial match) certain text, instead of values that match the lookup text exactly. VLOOKUP function looks up for partial match using Wildcards. In this case, the values in the first column of table_array don't need to be sorted. Partial Match VLOOKUP (Text Contains) By using the asterisk “wildcard” (*), within a VLOOKUP, we can lookup values that… Aug 25, 2025 · Session outline introduction to lookups three methods for lookups INDEX() + MATCH() VLOOKUP() XLOOKUP() partial matching Introducing lookups What does a lookup do? Imagine that you have a table like this: A lookup would let us find someone’s age from their name by: taking that name from somewhere finding out what row of the table that name is found in and then returning the age from that row Nov 5, 2024 · Advanced filters using operators & wildcards in SUMIFS VBA When using SUMIFS to filter cells based on certain criteria, you can use operators and wildcards for partial matching. This tutorial will walk through the process of finding partial matches using wildcards. Return Vlookup results on partial matches of a cell's contents. Jul 31, 2024 · Method 3 – Using the VLOOKUP with a Wildcard to Find a Partial Match in Excel Steps: In F7, enter the following formula: Apr 30, 2024 · 5 suitable methods to lookup partial text match in Excel. May 16, 2017 · My problem is that it is looking for exact matches, so I need to place some wildcards or adjust the below to include partial matches. Check the use of VLOOKUP function, Excel Add-in and FUZZYMATCH function. May 13, 2016 · I am new to VBA and I would like to do a partial string (or cell) match between two sheets. Here’s an example of how the updated formula might look from the first example: Jul 26, 2018 · I'm looking to use this code but modified so that it finds any cells that contain the words Abuse Neglect (like a partial match) - and then subsequently deletes the row. Unlike simple exact matches, which necessitate character-for-character alignment between two cells, partial matching grants analysts the crucial ability to locate instances where one complete string of Nov 18, 2025 · Learn how to leverage VLOOKUP for identifying multiple values with partial matches in Excel. What you can do is add an asterisk before and after your search term, which will then return even a partial match. Let’s walk through an example. The two common wildcards are: * (asterisk): Matches any number of characters. To have it done, enter the unique parts of the targets IDs in cells D2, D3 and D4 and use this I need to get Excel to use its MATCH function with wildcards in the data being matched. the next closest match), but sometimes we want to find an even looser match – these are the circumstances in which we would use wildcards. Sep 7, 2024 · To match a partial match in Excel, you can use functions like VLOOKUP with wildcards for text strings. This is AND logic meaning all conditions must be met. Excel VLOOKUP wildcard beginning search help to lookup the value or result based on beginning of the characters. Aug 30, 2024 · Types of wildcards to use with VLOOKUP In Excel, wildcard characters are used to do partial matches *️⃣ Excel supports three different kinds of wildcard characters. 3 days ago · Discover how to use wildcards in Excel’s VLOOKUP function to perform powerful partial match lookups with asterisks (*), Watch now to unlock a new level of Excel expertise!. The c May 14, 2024 · To perform a partial (wildcard) match against numbers, you can use an array formula based on the MATCH function and the TEXT function. Jul 12, 2024 · Why Should We Use VLOOKUP Function for Partial Match? The VLOOKUP function fetches data from one table to another when the lookup value matches the value of the lookup table. However, the VLOOKUP function, similar to Excel’s other lookup functions, is built to perform an exact match or a range lookup. Oct 18, 2021 · VLOOKUP is a worksheet function, for use with ranges of cells (or worksheet tables) but not for VBA arrays. The approximation parameters in VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, and INDEX/MATCH will get me there 80% of the way, but I can't afford this to be less than 100% accurate. This article gives you a quick VLOOKUP refresher, then links to more. Normally when using VLOOKUP we are trying to find an exact match; sometimes we are happy with an approximate match (i. VLOOKUP Function The VLOOKUP Function lookups a value in the leftmost column of a range and returns a corresponding value from another column. That’s true – but how can you use the VLOOKUP function when you are unsure about the value to be looked up? Using the wildcard characters 🎯 In this article, I will show you how to use VLOOKUP in VBA and some examples of using it in different scenarios. Download our practice workbook, modify data, find new outputs and exercise! Additional Resources To learn more about wildcards and partial matches for Vlookups, visit our tutorials: Wildcards in Excel Vlookup Partial Match in Excel Notes You can do partial lookup matches with text without all of the issues show here; this tutorial is specific to partial lookups on numbers. This page contains many easy to follow VLOOKUP examples. See example spread sheet attached. How to perform a partial match with VLOOKUP? So today in this post, I’d like to share with you how to use wildcard characters with VLOOKUP. Quickly learn how to use the VLookup function within VBA with this step-by-step tutorial. Guide to VBA Application. Searching in Excel just got smarter! 🎯 Use XLOOKUP with wildcards like * to find partial text — no need for exact matches. Jan 12, 2014 · Other topics about vlookup: The basic of vlookup Tips in constructing vlookup vlookup with Match vlookup options – True or False? Advanced vlookup – Text vs. Oct 9, 2025 · Learn how to use XLOOKUP for partial matches in Excel with wildcards, examples, and step-by-step formulas to find flexible text or code matches easily. Wildcards are characters that allow you to make more robust functions, searches, and filters in Excel. Use the VLOOKUP function to search for a partial match. Jul 5, 2024 · How to use the VLOOKUP function with partial text from a single cell in Excel. mkvbw ozjbyg lqjdj tqaxjh gjdb sxeijwevz sduxo eyt xeeg rfqpi yrpmwa tjvx ohmpk aetx lttne