Mastering XLOOKUP in Google Sheets: Beyond VLOOKUP with Formula Foundry’s Visual Builder

XLOOKUP fixes many frustrations from VLOOKUP. It searches any column, returns values from left or right, handles missing matches cleanly, and defaults to exact matches. You avoid column index counting errors and direction limits. Formula Foundry makes this even easier with a visual builder in the sidebar. Fill fields, watch the formula build live, and insert without typing syntax.

Here is a detailed walkthrough, plus a sample scenario to keep it practical.

First, install Formula Foundry from the Google Marketplace if you have not already. Open your Google Sheet and open the extensions menu in the top navigation bar, then scroll down and click to open Formula Foundry.

Sample Scenario: Employee Lookup

You have an employee data sheet: Column A lists names, B has IDs, C shows departments, D lists salaries. In a separate tab, you have a report with employee names in column B. You want to pull salaries into column C.

We will use XLOOKUP to find the name and return the salary from column D.

Step 1: Open the XLOOKUP Builder

In the Formula Foundry panel, click the dropdown (under the green arrow) and select XLOOKUP. The form appears with clear fields: Search For, In the Lookup Range, From the Return Range, If Not Found (optional), Match Mode, and Search Mode. The preview bar at the bottom shows the formula updating as you fill it.

Switch tabs if needed using the tab selector at the top.

Step 2: Enter the Search For Value

This is your lookup key. In our example, use the name in B2 of the report tab.

• Click the “Search For” field.
• Type B2, or use the “Pull from Cell” button (green pipette icon) to select B2 directly from the sheet. It fills automatically.
• The preview starts: =XLOOKUP(B2, …

This keeps the formula dynamic. Changes in B2 update results instantly.

Step 3: Define the Lookup Range

Select where to search for the key. For us: Employees!A2:A100 (names in column A).

• Enter the range manually, like Employees!A2:A100.
• Or click “Cell Address” to pick the start and end cells visually. It fills the field.
• The UI flags invalid ranges in red with a tooltip.

Preview now: =XLOOKUP(B2, Employees!A2:A100, …

XLOOKUP searches this range first, unlike VLOOKUP which needs the key in the leftmost column.

Step 4: Set the Return Range

Choose what to return when a match is found. Salaries are in D, so Employees!D2:D100.

• Fill the “From the Return Range” field.
• Use the same visual picker if preferred.
• Preview updates: =XLOOKUP(B2, Employees!A2:A100, Employees!D2:D100, …

The ranges must match in row count, but XLOOKUP returns from any column, even left of the lookup.

Step 5: Handle Not Found and Modes (Optional)

For missing matches, add a fallback in “If Not Found”. Type “Not Found” or 0.

• Leave blank for #N/A (default).
• Match Mode defaults to Exact (great for names or IDs).
• Search Mode defaults to first-to-last. Change to last-to-first for reverse search if needed.

Final preview: =XLOOKUP(B2, Employees!A2:A100, Employees!D2:D100, "Not Found")

Click the green “Insert formula” button. It places the formula in your active cell (C2). Drag down for the full column.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• #N/A Appears? No match found. Check spelling, extra spaces, or case. Use the AI Assistant in the panel: prompt “Add IFNA to show ‘Missing Employee'”.
• Wrong Return? Ranges misaligned? Ensure lookup and return ranges start/end at the same rows.
• Slow Performance? Large ranges slow lookups. Limit to necessary rows or use variables in Formula Foundry for reusable ranges.
• Need Left Lookup? XLOOKUP handles it natively. VLOOKUP would require rearranging columns.

For multi-column returns, wrap in ARRAYFORMULA or use separate XLOOKUPs.

Alternatives When XLOOKUP Isn’t Ideal

Stick with VLOOKUP for very old compatibility needs, but XLOOKUP is superior in most cases. For complex filters, try QUERY (Formula Foundry has a builder for that too).

7 Tips for Better XLOOKUPs

1. Use exact match mode for IDs, names, or codes.
2. Add a fallback value to avoid #N/A errors.
3. Lock ranges with $ (e.g., $A$2:$A$100) when copying formulas.
4. Test small first to verify matches.
5. Combine with TRIM to clean keys.
6. Save common lookups as snippets in Formula Foundry for reuse.
7. Let the preview catch issues before inserting.

FAQ

This covers the essentials and advanced bits. You should now handle lookups with confidence and fewer errors. Try Formula Foundry to build your next one visually.