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How to Find Max/Min Value Using Vlookup in Google Sheets

Google Sheets, a versatile spreadsheet tool, empowers users to easily perform various data manipulations and analyses. Among its array of functions, VLOOKUP (Vertical Lookup) stands out as a valuable feature. VLOOKUP allows you to search for specific values in a table and retrieve corresponding data from another column. 

While commonly used for basic lookups, VLOOKUP can also assist in finding the maximum or minimum value within a designated range. This article will show you how to find min/max value using Vlookup in Google Sheets without sweating it. 

To facilitate a smooth learning experience, we will introduce a beginner-friendly scenario that exemplifies the practical application of this function.

Use case/scenario to find Max/Min Value Using Vlookup In Google Sheet

Imagine you have a spreadsheet containing data about different car models, including their prices. You wish to determine the most expensive and least expensive car models using VLOOKUP. Rather than manually sifting through the data, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, VLOOKUP enables you to pinpoint the highest and lowest prices within the dataset swiftly.

In this scenario, let’s consider a Google Sheets spreadsheet with two columns: “Pricing” and “Car Brands.” By following the step-by-step instructions in this article, you will effortlessly leverage VLOOKUP to identify the car models with the highest and lowest prices.

Find Max/Min Value using Vlookup in Google Sheets- Practical examples

Having provided some use case scenario that requires you to find max/min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets, we are sure you want to get some practical guidance on executing that. Good for you; we have put together some detailed examples, which provide a better insight on how to find max/min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets. 

Let’s start with using Vlookup to find the max value in Google Sheets. 

Step 1: Organize your data

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of using the Vlookup function to find the maximum value in Google Sheets, we must organize our data. To do that, we will create a spreadsheet with two columns – Pricing and Car Brands. 

In the column for the pricing, we will list the various pricing we would like to search within. For the second column, we will assign the names of different car brands. 

Here is what the sample spreadsheet we will use to find max/min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets looks like: 

Step 2: Identify the Max value

Having organized our data, it’s time to identify our max value. Since this tutorial aims to find the max value using Vlookup in Google Sheets, it’s important to add a helper column to our spreadsheet. For those new to using Vlookup, the helper column is where we will generate the result for our max value. 

So we need to create a new column and title it “Max value.” Here is what our spreadsheet looks like after creating our new helper column. 

Step 3: Apply your formula

After creating a helper column, it’s time to jump into the interesting aspect of this Google Sheets tutorial. 

Here is the formula we will be using to find max/min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets: 

=VLOOKUP(MAX(A2:A11),A1:B11,2,FALSE)

What we are going to do here is type the above formula in the first cell of the Max value column, i.e., cell D2. So head over to the formula bar and type the above formula. 

Let’s explain the formula we used: 

  • Max(A2:A11): Finds the maximum value in the pricing column. 
  • A1:B11: defines the range where your data and values are located. 
  • 2, indicates that you want to retrieve value from the second column (column B)
  • False: Specifies an exact match for the lookup value. 

Step 4: Hit Enter

After typing our Vlookup formula in the formula bar, all that is left to do is tap Enter on our keyboard. Once that’s done, Google Sheets will automatically generate the result in our chosen cell. 

Here is what ours looks like: 

Step 5: Interpret results

From the above image, you can clearly see that Hyundai has the Maximum value as per its pricing. Now, that’s how to find max/min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets. That wasn’t too hard, was it? 

How to find min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets

Now that we have found the max value by leveraging the power of Vlookup, it’s time to show you how to find the min value using Vlookup in Google Sheets. 

Even though the process is pretty much the same as the above steps, the Vlookup formula we will use to find the min value is slightly different. 

Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Step 1: Organize your data 

As we did for the earlier example, we showed you for finding the max value using Vlookup; we need to organize our data. 

But since we are using the same data as the one for our first example, we don’t need to repeat the same process. 

So for this example, here is the sample data we will use. 

Step 2: Identify the Min value

With our sample data nicely put together, we need to go ahead and identify the min value. So just like we did in our earlier example for finding the max value using Vlookup, we need to create a column for the min value. 

So let’s go ahead and update our spreadsheet to include a new column for “Min value.”

Here is what our spreadsheet now looks like after creating a new column for Min value:

Step 3: Apply Your Formula

Now that we have created a new column for the Min value, it’s time to input our Vlookup formula. To do that, select the cell where you want the lookup result generated for the min value. 

For this example, we will use cell E2. 

So navigate to the formula bar and type in the following formula: 

=VLOOKUP(Min(A2:A11),A1:B11,2,FALSE)

Now, let’s explain our formula as we did in the previous steps: 

  • The formula MIN(A2:A11) helps us find the lowest value in the pricing column (column A)
  • The range A1:B11 represents the area where your car brand and pricing data are located. This is where the formula will search for the minimum value.
  • The number 2 in the formula tells Google Sheets that we want to retrieve the value from the second column (column B), which contains the car brand information.
  • By setting the last parameter to FALSE, we ensure that the formula looks for an exact match of the minimum value in the car brand column. This ensures we retrieve the correct corresponding value.

Putting it all together, the formula VLOOKUP(MIN(A2:A11), A1:B11, 2, FALSE) finds the minimum price in the pricing column and retrieves the corresponding car brand from the second column.

Step 4: Hit Enter

After entering the VLOOKUP formula correctly, the final step is to press the Enter button on your keyboard. By doing so, Google Sheets will process the formula and display the result in your selected cell.

If you have followed the steps we provided earlier, you should see the desired outcome in your spreadsheet. It should look similar to the example we demonstrated.

Remember, pressing Enter is essential as it tells Google Sheets to execute the formula and compute the result based on your provided data. 

Step 5: Interpret the result 

Looking at the image above, it’s evident that Honda has the lowest price among all the car brands. We obtained This result by using VLOOKUP to find the minimum value in Google Sheets.

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you have successfully learned how to find max/ min value using VLOOKUP in Google Sheets. It may have seemed daunting at first, but as you can see, it’s not too difficult once you understand the process.

Final Thoughts 

Mastering the art of using VLOOKUP in Google Sheets empowers you to find maximum or minimum values within your data efficiently. By leveraging the VLOOKUP function, you can simplify complex data analysis tasks and save valuable time.

Throughout this article, we explored how to find max/min value using VLOOKUP in Google Sheets. We provided a beginner-friendly explanation and discussed a practical scenario to enhance comprehension. By following the step-by-step instructions, you learned how to organize your data, apply the VLOOKUP formula, and interpret the results.

By utilizing VLOOKUP, you can eliminate the need for manual scanning and quickly identify the highest or lowest values within your dataset. This proficiency will undoubtedly prove beneficial in various applications, whether you are analyzing exam scores, pricing data, or any other relevant information.

With a solid grasp of VLOOKUP, you can now approach data analysis tasks with confidence, knowing that you have a powerful tool at your disposal. Remember to practice and explore additional features and functions in Google Sheets to expand your proficiency and discover new ways to enhance your data analysis capabilities.

So go ahead, apply what you’ve learned, and embrace the power of VLOOKUP to unlock valuable insights from your data in Google Sheets!