How to Use XLOOKUP with Wildcards in Excel?
XLOOKUP with Wildcards is a Excel function that allows you to find a value in a range that partially matches a specified search term using wildcards.. Formula Genius generates and validates this formula automatically from a plain-English prompt.
Discover how to perform partial text matching using XLOOKUP with wildcard characters, streamlining your data searches.
The Formula
"Use XLOOKUP with wildcard characters (* and ?) to do partial text matching instead of exact match"
=XLOOKUP("*search_term*", lookup_array, return_array)This formula allows you to find a value in a range that partially matches a specified search term using wildcards.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- The asterisk (*) represents any number of characters in the search term.
- The question mark (?) represents a single character in the search term.
- lookup_array is the range where you want to search for the value.
- return_array is the range from which you want to return the corresponding value.
- XLOOKUP returns the first match it finds based on the wildcard criteria.
Edge Cases & Warnings
- Using wildcards with an empty search term may return unexpected results.
- If no match is found, XLOOKUP will return an error unless specified otherwise.
- Wildcards can lead to multiple matches; ensure your data is structured to avoid confusion.
- Case sensitivity may affect results if the data contains mixed case text.
Examples
"search_term: "*apple*", lookup_array: A1:A5, return_array: B1:B5"
Returns the value from B1:B5 corresponding to the first match of any cell in A1:A5 containing 'apple'."search_term: "?at", lookup_array: A1:A5, return_array: B1:B5"
Returns the value from B1:B5 corresponding to the first match of any cell in A1:A5 that has a two-letter prefix followed by 'at'.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple wildcards in one search?
Yes, you can combine multiple wildcards in your search term.
What happens if there are no matches found?
XLOOKUP will return an error unless you specify a default value.
Are wildcards case-sensitive?
No, wildcards in XLOOKUP are not case-sensitive.
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