VLOOKUP: lookup_value isn't in first column of table_array

Microsoft's documentation for VLOOKUP states the following.

Remember that the lookup value should always be in the first column in the range for VLOOKUP to work correctly. For example, if your lookup value is in cell C2 then your range should start with C.

Unfortunately, in my spreadsheet the lookup value (Part Number) is in column B, while the data I want to return (Supplier ID) is in column A.

Is it possible to use VLOOKUP if my lookup value is located after my return value?

1 Answer

Use INDEX/MATCH:

=INDEX(A:A,MATCH(G12,B:B,0))

This will find G12 in column B and return the value from that row in column A. the 0 means exact match, like FALSE in the VLOOKUP.