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Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria with the FILTER Function in 2 Easy Steps (+ Free Easy-To-Adjust Excel Workbook Example)

Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria with the FILTER Function in 2 Easy Steps (+ Free Easy-To-Adjust Excel Workbook Example)In this Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial, you learn how to carry out a VLookup for multiple criteria with the FILTER function.

The VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula template/structure you learn in this Tutorial isn't the only way to carry out a VLookup for multiple criteria. You may (also) be interested in the following alternative formula template/structures:

  • Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria with INDEX MATCH.
  • Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria with XLOOKUP.

I link to these Tutorials in the Related Excel Training Materials and Resources Section below.

This Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial is accompanied by an Excel workbook with the data and formulas I use when describing the step-by-step process below. Get this example workbook (for free) by clicking the button below.

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

This Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial is part of a more comprehensive series of Excel VLookup Tutorials.

My Excel XLOOKUP Tutorial (click here to open) may help you:

  • Better understand and implement the contents below.
  • Better understand the differences between the XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions (XLOOKUP vs. VLOOKUP).

You can find more Excel Tutorials in the organized Tutorials Archive: Click here to visit the Archives. The following are some of my most popular Excel Tutorials:

If you want to learn more about Excel essentials, Excel formulas, and similar Excel topics, you may be interested in taking one (or more) Excel Courses: Click here to learn more about these Excel Courses (affiliate link). The following are some of the topics covered in these Excel Courses:

  • Excel essentials and must-know skills.
  • Advanced Excel Formulas.
  • Excel Tables.
  • Pivot Tables.
  • Dashboards.
  • Power Pivot.
  • Power Query.

If you want to start learning how to automate Excel (and save time) by working with macros and VBA, you may be interested in the following Premium Excel Macro and VBA Training Materials:

If you need consulting services, you may want to consider working with ExcelRescue. ExcelRescue is my usual suggestion for people who (like you) may need help with Excel tasks/projects: Click here to visit ExcelRescue (affiliate link).

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

The VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Formula Template/Structure

The following is the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula template/structure I explain (step-by-step) in the Sections below.

'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER(CellRangeWithValuesToReturn,(Criterion1[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion1)*(Criterion2[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion2)*(Criterion3[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion3)*…*(Criterion#[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion#))

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

The Example Before VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function)

This Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial is accompanied by an Excel workbook with the data and formulas I use when describing the step-by-step process below. Get this example workbook (for free) by clicking the button below.

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

The example worksheet has 2 tables with the following characteristics.

(1) Table 1 (Cells A7 to G27).

The table:

  • With the data.
  • Where you search with the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formula.

Main characteristics:

  • 7 columns (Salesperson, Date, Customer, Product, City, Units, Unit Price).
  • 1 header row (row 7).
  • 20 entries (rows 8 to 27).

(2) Table 2 (Cells I7 to L14).

The table where you:

  • Set up the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas.
  • Display the results.

This table has the following 4 columns:

  • Column: Cells I8 to I14 store letters. These letters match the columns of Table 1.
  • Header: The values in cells J8 to J14 match the headers of Table 1 (cells A7 to G7).
  • Value:
    • Cells K8 and K9: The 2 (multiple) VLookup criteria.
    • Cells K10 to K14:
      • Currently empty.
      • Will store the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas.
  • Formula: Cells L10 to L14:
    • Currently display the #N/A error.
    • Will display the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas I enter in cells K10 to K14.

The following image displays the example worksheet before I add the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas.

Example: Data for Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria with the FILTER Function

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

Step 1: Set Up the Multiple Conditions

Create an expression that does the following:

  1. Evaluate multiple conditions.
  2. Return a single value for each row (in the table where you search with the VLookup multiple criteria formula), indicating whether all conditions are met (or not) in that specific row.

To do this inside a VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula, you work with logical expressions. Logical expressions

  • Return a Boolean value (TRUE or FALSE) when evaluated.
  • Allow you to test whether a set of multiple conditions is met.

Use the following template/structure to create the expression testing the multiple conditions:

'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
(Criterion1[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion1)*(Criterion2[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion2)*(Criterion3[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion3)*…*(Criterion#[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion#)

This expression template/structure works with the following 2 operators to test whether a set of multiple conditions is met:

  • A comparison operator.
    • Comparison operators:
      • Carry out comparisons.
      • Return a Boolean value (TRUE or FALSE).
    • The following are commonly used comparison operators:
      • Less than (<).
      • Less than or equal to (<=).
      • Greater than (>).
      • Greater than or equal to (>=).
      • Equal to (=).
      • Not equal to (<>).
  • The multiplication operator (*):
    • As a general rule, multiplies 2 numbers.
    • When multiplying Boolean values (TRUE and FALSE), converts the Boolean values into 0s and 1s as follows:
      • TRUE is converted to 1.
      • FALSE is converted to 0.
    • When creating a VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula, the multiplication operator (*) acts as the AND logical operator. In other words: The entire expression returns 1 (TRUE) or 0 (FALSE) as follows:
      • 1 (TRUE) if all evaluated conditions return 1 (TRUE).
      • 0 (FALSE) if any (or all) evaluated condition(s) return 0 (FALSE).

Consider the following when specifying the expression testing the multiple conditions:

  • Carry out as many comparison tests (with the applicable comparison operator) as needed (1 comparison test per criterion) to compare each of the multiple criteria against the cells in a column (with the respective criterion).
  • Specify the column with a criterion (ColumnWithCriterion#) as a single-column (1 column, several rows) cell range.

In the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula, the expression template/structure I describe above returns an array of 0s and 1s, by applying the 2 operators above in the following order of precedence:

  • First:
    • The comparison operator is evaluated.
    • Each expression with a comparison operator returns an array with TRUEs and FALSEs. Each individual TRUE or FALSE indicates whether the applicable criterion (Criterion#) is met (or not) by the applicable row in the applicable column (ColumnWithCriterion#).
  • Second:
    • The multiplication operator (*) is evaluated.
    • The entire expression with the multiplication operator(s) (*) returns an array with 1s (TRUE) and 0s (FALSE). Each individual 1 (TRUE) or 0 (FALSE) indicates whether all applicable criteria are met by all applicable columns in the applicable row.

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

Step 1 Example

In the example, 2 conditions must be met:

  • Condition 1: The Product (in column D) is equal to the product in cell K8.
  • Condition 2: The City (in column E) is equal to the city in cell K9.

When implementing the template/structure I describe above:

  • Criterion1: Cell K8 ($K$8, when using absolute references).
  • ColumnWithCriterion1: Cells D8 to D27 ($D$8:$D$27, when using absolute references).
  • Criterion2: Cell K9 ($K$9, when using absolute references).
  • ColumnWithCriterion2: Cells E8 to E27 ($E$8:$E$27, when using absolute references).
  • Comparison operator (for both conditional tests): Equal to (=).
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27)

The image below illustrates how the array of 0s and 1s (I mention above) is returned by this expression:

  1. Columns H (Criterion1) and I (Criterion2) return TRUE or FALSE, depending on whether the criterion (Criterion#) is met by the applicable row in the applicable column (column D for Criterion1, column E for Criterion2).
  2. Column J (Criterion1*Criterion2) returns 0 or 1, depending on whether all criteria (Criterion1 and Criterion2) are met by all applicable columns (column D and column E) in the applicable row.
  3. Column K (Step 1 Array):
    • Uses the basic structure of the expression testing the multiple conditions (I describe above).
    • Returns 0 or 1, depending on whether all criteria (Criterion1 and Criterion2) are met by all applicable columns (column D and column E). These results are exactly the same as those returned by the (illustrative) process carried out in columns H, I, and J.
  4. Cell L8 displays the formula (using the basic structure of the expression testing the multiple conditions) stored in column K.
Example: Set up multiple conditions for Excel VLookup multiple criteria (with FILTER function)

The 2 (multiple) conditions are met in row 24 of the worksheet.

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

Step 2: Use the FILTER Function to Extract the Value(s) in the Row Where the Multiple Conditions are Met

The FILTER function filters data based on criteria you specify.

Specify FILTER's arguments as follows to obtain the value(s) the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula returns:

  1. array: The cell range with the value(s) to return.
  2. include: The expression (returning an array of 0s and 1s) you created in step #1.
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER(CellRangeWithValuesToReturn,ArrayFromStep1)

When considering the array you created in step #1:

'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER(CellRangeWithValuesToReturn,(Criterion1[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion1)*(Criterion2[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion2)*(Criterion3[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion3)*…*(Criterion#[ComparisonOperator]ColumnWithCriterion#))

Consider the following when setting up the FILTER function for the VLOOKUP multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) formula:

  • The FILTER function is available in available in Excel 2021 and later (including Excel 365).
  • The FILTER function is a dynamic array function. This has several consequences, including the following:
    • The FILTER function returns an array.
    • When the array returned by the FILTER function is the final result of the worksheet formula:
      • The array spills (values are returned to neighboring cells).
      • Excel dynamically sizes the output cell range after you enter the applicable worksheet formula.
  • If appropriate, consider using the third (optional) argument of the FILTER function (if_empty) to specify the value to return if the filter returns nothing (the multiple criteria aren't met). If you omit the if_empty argument and the filter returns nothing, the FILTER function returns the #CALC! error.
  • The FILTER function returns an error if any value of the include argument:
    • Is an error; or
    • Cannot be converted to a Boolean value

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

Step 2 Example

The VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas (using absolute references) are as follows:

  • Cell K10:
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER($A$8:$A$27,($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27))
  • Cell K11:
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER($B$8:$B$27,($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27))
  • Cell K12:
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER($C$8:$C$27,($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27))
  • Cell K13:
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER($F$8:$F$27,($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27))
  • Cell K14:
'Source: https://powerspreadsheets.com/
'More information: https://powerspreadsheets.com/vlookup-multiple-criteria-filter/
=FILTER($G$8:$G$27,($K$8=$D$8:$D$27)*($K$9=$E$8:$E$27))

The formulas above differ (exclusively) on the column specified as array argument of the FILTER function. That's the column (in the table where you search with the VLookup multiple criteria formula) with the value to return.

  • Cell K10: Returns a value from column A (Salesperson).
  • Cell K11: Returns a value from column B (Date).
  • Cell K12: Returns a value from column C (Customer).
  • Cell K13: Returns a value from column F (Units).
  • Cell K14: Returns a value from column G (Unit Price).

The image below displays the final results returned by the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formulas.

  • Cells K10 to K14 display the value returned by the applicable VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formula, as follows:
    • Cell K10: The value in cell A24 (Salesperson 50).
    • Cell K11: The value in cell B24 (22-May-19).
    • Cell K12: The value in cell C24 (Customer 5).
    • Cell K13: The value in cell F24 (84.00).
    • Cell K14: The value in cell G24 (499.99).
  • Cells L10 to L14 display the VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function) example formula, as used in cells K10 to K14.

In this example:

  • The FILTER function returns a single value.
  • There's no spilling (values aren't returned to neighboring cells).
Example: FILTER function for VLookup multiple criteria (with the FILTER function)

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

Download the VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Example Workbook

This Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial is accompanied by an Excel workbook with the data and formulas I use when describing the step-by-step process above. Get this example workbook (for free) by clicking the button below.

Get immediate free access to the Excel VLookup multiple criteria with the FILTER function workbook example

This Excel VLookup Multiple Criteria (with the FILTER Function) Tutorial is part of a more comprehensive series of Excel VLookup Tutorials.

My Excel XLOOKUP Tutorial (click here to open) may help you:

  • Better understand and implement the contents above.
  • Better understand the differences between the XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP functions (XLOOKUP vs. VLOOKUP).

You can find more Excel Tutorials in the organized Tutorials Archive: Click here to visit the Archives. The following are some of my most popular Excel Tutorials:

If you want to learn more about Excel essentials, Excel formulas, and similar Excel topics, you may be interested in taking one (or more) Excel Courses: Click here to learn more about these Excel Courses (affiliate link). The following are some of the topics covered in these Excel Courses:

  • Excel essentials and must-know skills.
  • Advanced Excel Formulas.
  • Excel Tables.
  • Pivot Tables.
  • Dashboards.
  • Power Pivot.
  • Power Query.

If you want to start learning how to automate Excel (and save time) by working with macros and VBA, you may be interested in the following Premium Excel Macro and VBA Training Materials:

If you need consulting services, you may want to consider working with ExcelRescue. ExcelRescue is my usual suggestion for people who (like you) may need help with Excel tasks/projects: Click here to visit ExcelRescue (affiliate link).

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I publish a lot of Tutorials and Training Resources about Microsoft Excel and VBA. Here are some of my most popular Excel Training Resources:

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