Google Sheets: This is how the link works
The vertical reference (short S reference) is a useful function that you can also use in Google Sheets. In this article, we'll show you how to do this advanced search in Google's spreadsheets.
Google Sheets: Reference
Similar to Excel in English, the function in Google Sheets is "VLOOKUP". The link begins with the "VLOOKUP" command, followed by the search criteria.
- Formula: You can reach the link with the formula "= VLOOKUP (search key; area; index; [is_sorted])". Enter this formula in a cell without quotation marks. You have to adjust the placeholders search key, area, index and [is sorted] accordingly.
- Search key: The search key is the value or text that is searched for in the table. The search is carried out vertically, i.e. within a column. Instead of typing directly, you can refer to another cell.
- Area: Your table determines the area. If the record does not change in position, use the "$" symbol (for example $ A $ 2: $ C $ 6). In this example, the range extends from cell A2 to cell C6.
- Index: The index determines the output value. If a search was successful, the search key position is "1". If you want to output the associated value in the next column, select the value "2" and so on.
- [is_sorted]: The last search criterion indicates whether the search column is already sorted or not. The values "True" and "False" or 0 and 1 are accepted. The advantage of a sorted column is a faster search.
