Manipulating data in a spreadsheet can be a daunting task if you have a large amount of data. This is where a useful feature of Excel comes in handy – the ability to automatically populate a table with data from another table. In this post, we will explain how to set up a table to automatically populate a cell with data from another table. We will go over the requirements and step-by-step instructions and provide a few tips on how to make sure your data is accurate.
Requirements
In order to auto-populate a table in Excel with data from another table, there are certain requirements that need to be met. Here is what you'll need:
- Excel 365 or later
- Table with source data from which data will be pulled (the source table)
- Table with empty cells that will be populated with data from source table (the target table)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Set up the source table. This table should contain the data that you would like to pull from. Ensure that the first row of the table contains the titles for each column. It is also helpful if the data within each column has similar data formats.
Create the target table. This table should contain the title for each column and empty rows beneath it. This is the table where the data will be pulled from the source table.
Select a cell in the target table.
To enter the VLOOKUP formula, press Fx to open the Formula Editor window.
Enter the following formula in the Formula Editor window:
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
In the ‘lookup_value’ field, enter the cell reference of the cell in the target table where the data should be placed.
In the ‘table_array’ field, enter the range of cells in the source table where the data should be pulled from. This can include multiple columns as long as the columns with the relevant data are adjacent.
In the ‘col_index_num’ field, enter the number for the column in the source table that you would like to pull data from. The first column is 1, the second column is 2, and so on.
In the ‘[range_lookup]’ field, enter ‘FALSE’. This will ensure that the values pulled from the source table are pulled exactly as they appear in the source table.
When the formula is complete, click ‘OK’.
The cell in the target table should now be populated with data from the source table.
Tips
Make sure that the data in the source table is up-to-date. Otherwise, the target table may be populated with incorrect data.
The cells in the source and target tables should be in the same order. The formula will only pull data from the source table that is in the same place as the cells in the target table.
You can use the VLOOKUP formula to automatically populate multiple cells in the target table with data from the source table. Simply repeat the same steps in the above instructions for each cell in the target table.
FAQ
What is the VLOOKUP formula?
The VLOOKUP formula is a function in Excel that allows you to pull data from one table and use it to populate cells in another table.
How can I make sure that the data in my target table is accurate?
Ensure that the data in the source table is up-to-date and that the cells in the source and target tables are in the same order.
How can I use the VLOOKUP formula to populate multiple cells in the target table?
Simply repeat the same steps in the instructions for each cell in the target table that you would like to populate.
Can I use the VLOOKUP formula for data in multiple columns?
Yes, you can use the VLOOKUP formula to pull data from multiple columns as long as the columns with the relevant data are adjacent.
What version of Excel do I need to use the VLOOKUP formula?
The VLOOKUP formula is available in Excel 365 and later versions.