Learn how to use the VLOOKUP formula to compare a maximum of two columns to have common values returned or to locate missing data.

Normally, VLOOKUP retrieves this data from cells within the spreadsheet. But Excel can import its data from other files as well, including comma separated value (CSV) files.

The trick to using Excel's VLOOKUP effectively is knowing what commands and values to use in what order.

In this guide, we'll show you the steps to get started using the VLOOKUP function to look for anything within a large database table in Excel.