VLOOKUP That Returns True or False

VLOOKUP That Returns True or False

It is possible to create a vlookup formula which returns only boolean values – true or false.

Let’s take a look at this example.

I created such a table.

I want to check if I have some data missing. For example I just type a customer’s name to check if I need to add it to my data table. In such example I need only true or false answer.

To check it I created such a formula:

=ISNA(VLOOKUP($B$7,B2:B5,1,FALSE))

• ISNA – to not get an #N/A! error
• $B$7 – is an absolute reference to a value I know (customer’s name)
• B2:B5 – data range 1 – first column
• FALSE – because I need an exact match

Other conditions you may want to use this formula:

• to check if the client should get a discount
• to check if the student passed get exam
• to check if the clerk should get a bonus

Of course this vlookup based formula can be used both for such basic data table and for advanced business intelligence dashboard.

Template

Further reading: 
Basic concepts 
Getting started with Excel
Cell References