A VLOOKUP alternative to match your tables

VLOOKUP is still the most used formula to match two tables, and the most fragile. Here are its limits and a safer way to get the same result.

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The 4 limits of VLOOKUP

1#N/A as soon as a value differs by a space or a format.
2Only one match returned, even when there are several.
3The formula breaks when a column is added or moved.
4Files slow down past a few tens of thousands of rows.

Match without formulas

With DataMerge you only point to the column linking both files. Values are cleaned (spaces, case) before matching, and you instantly see how many rows match.

You then choose which rows to keep: all rows of the base file, only rows found everywhere, or all rows even without a match.

Does XLOOKUP fix it?

XLOOKUP fixes the column offset problem, but not code conversion or slowness on large files, and it is still a formula to copy down every row.

Frequently asked questions

Can I match more than two tables?

Yes, with Pro: as many files as you need on the same reference.

Do I need to install anything?

No, everything runs in the browser.

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