Lookup
The Lookup function finds matching data inside a workbook data element, either in the same table, or in an external table.
To understand how to apply the Lookup function without directly using the formula bar, see Add columns through Lookup.
All elements must be on the same data connection.
Syntax
Lookup(formula, local key 1, external key 1, [local key 2], [external key 2], ...)
This function has the following arguments:
- formula
- Required
- The formula to compute (or the target column to reference) for the row in the target element.
- local key 1
- Required
- The column to use as a join key in the local data element.
- external key 1
- Required
- The column to use as a join key in the target data element.
- local key 2
- Optional
- The additional column to use as a join key in the local data element.
- external key 2
- Optional
- The additional column to use as a join key in the target data element.
Examples
Lookup([Customers/Cust Name], [Cust Key], [Customers/Cust Key])
Data is inserted into the Sales table’s [Calc] column from Customer table’s [Cust Name] column.
These two tables are joined using a single column (join key) from each table. In this case, both join keys are named [Cust Key].
The function’s formula parameter directly references a column in the joined table.
Note: In formulas, columns from other tables should be referenced with the <table name>/ prefix (e.g. [Customers/Cust Name]).
Lookup([Customers/Zip Code], [Cust Name], [Customers/Name], [Cust Key], [Customers/Cust Key])
Data is inserted into the Ordered Items table’s [Calc] column from Customer table’s [Zip Code] column.
The function’s formula parameter directly references a column in the joined Customers table.
These two tables are joined using two sets of join keys:
- Order Items’ [Cust Name] column is joined with Customer’s [Name] column;
- Order Items’ [Cust Key] column is joined with Customer’s [Cust Key] column
Lookup(Sum([Sales Amounts/Sales Amount]), [Order Number], [Sales Amounts/Order Number])
Data is inserted into the Orders table’s [Calc] column from Sales Amount table’s [Sales Amount] column.
The function’s formula parameter uses the Sum function to aggregate values from the Sales Amount table’s [Sales Amount] column.
These two tables are joined using a single set of join keys: Orders’ [Order Number] column is joined with Sales Amounts’ [Order Name] column.
Related functions