Vlookup Formula - If value is not found in the first column, look at the next column

[Sundance_Kid]

Hi there

I am doing a vlookup, where I have a unique id for the lookup value, I want it to return the value in the second column in the table array - so this is a basic formula =VLOOKUP(C1,Sheet2!E:F,2,0).
What is happening is that the second column in the table array won't have a return value for the lookup in every instance, so what I want to do is include a third column and if the value is not in the second column, can it then look up the third column instead to find it.

Can anyone advise on the best formula for this?

Thanks

 

[Fluff]

I suggest that you update your Account details (or click your user name at the top right of the forum) so helpers always know what Excel version(s) & platform(s) you are using as the best solution often varies by version. (Don’t forget to scroll down & ‘Save’)

What sort of values are in col F text or numbers?

 

[Sundance_Kid]

I suggest that you update your Account details (or click your user name at the top right of the forum) so helpers always know what Excel version(s) & platform(s) you are using as the best solution often varies by version. (Don’t forget to scroll down & ‘Save’)

What sort of values are in col F text or numbers?

Thank you. I updated the details there.

Column F is actually words but classified as General in terms of the cells format.

I havent used xlookup yet, I wonder is this an instance where it might come in handy?

 

[Fluff]

Thanks for that, how about

=IFERROR(T(VLOOKUP(C1,Sheet1!E:F,2,0)),VLOOKUP(C1,Sheet1!E:G,3,0))

 

[Sundance_Kid]

Thanks for that, how about

=IFERROR(T(VLOOKUP(C1,Sheet1!E:F,2,0)),VLOOKUP(C1,Sheet1!E:G,3,0))

Thank you, what does the T after iferror do out of interest?

 

[Fluff]

It returns text or a null string How to use the Excel T function | Exceljet