VLOOKUP Function in ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor: Examples and Syntax
VLOOKUP in ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor: retrieve a field from a table using a key in its first column with examples, advanced use, errors, troubleshooting and official sources.
Verification status: Official documentation referenced; example outcomes independently reasoned or arithmetically checked where stated. Not executed in ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor. How formula examples are checked
Quick answer: Use VLOOKUP to retrieve a field from a table using a key in its first column. The steps below are original teaching examples derived from official syntax and independently checked arithmetic. No screenshot or result is represented as a native editor execution.
Exact syntax and argument definitions
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
| Argument | Required? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
lookup_value |
Required | The key or SKU being searched. |
table_array |
Required | Table with the search key in its leftmost column. |
col_index_num |
Required | One-based index of the field to return. |
range_lookup |
Optional | FALSE exact; TRUE or omitted approximate, requiring suitable sorting. |
Square brackets are documentation markers for optional parameters, not characters to type in a formula. Formula names and comma-separated arguments here follow ONLYOFFICE’s official function-entry guide. Locale settings can affect punctuation and displayed formats.
Reproducible worked dataset
Create a new sheet with these small source records:
| Row | A: SKU | B: Item | C: Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | P-101 | Pens | 3.50 |
| 3 | P-102 | Pads | 9.50 |
| 4 | P-103 | Tape | 4.25 |
If a cell is marked leave empty, leave it truly empty rather than entering the words in the table. Put the formula in a free cell away from the source data.
=VLOOKUP("P-102",A2:C4,3,FALSE)
Expected result: 9.5 as a numeric result (shown as 9.50 with two-decimal formatting). The matching SKU is on row 3; the third column contains numeric price 9.5. This is an arithmetic/logical prediction on the supplied sample, not a claim of native ONLYOFFICE testing.
Second result for comparison
=VLOOKUP("P-101",A2:C4,2,FALSE)
Expected result: Pens. The second column gives the corresponding item name. Comparing these two results helps identify incorrect ranges and mismatched conditions.
Advanced practical example
Enter P-103 into E2 and lock the table range before filling formulas down.
=VLOOKUP(E2,$A$2:$C$4,2,FALSE)
Expected result: Tape. The exact P-103 row returns the second-field label Tape. Change just the source value described above to reproduce the variation.
Common mistakes, edge cases and limitations
The official reference says TRUE or omitted range_lookup uses approximate matching; sorted keys are important. Always pass FALSE for product IDs. Field indices are relative to the selected range, not worksheet letters.
Unrecognized formula names, missing arguments, incorrect parentheses and incompatible separators may cause an error. When an output is surprising, test the small example first, check whether input values are genuine numbers, then inspect the formula’s range endpoints. Do not guess a specific error label when it has not been produced by a native test.
Troubleshooting steps
An exact-match #N/A may indicate a missing key, extra spaces or mixed numeric/text identifiers. Check the lookup is in the leftmost source column. If formulas are displayed as text, ensure the destination cell is treated as a formula and starts with an equals sign. If copying a formula, decide which references should remain fixed and apply $ anchors as needed.
ONLYOFFICE version and edition notes
Docs 9.1.0 notes calculation optimization for VLOOKUP; this is not proof of first availability.
The official changelog was reviewed on 2026-10-11 UTC. No unsupported introduction date or minimum edition is invented.
Cross-software compatibility
Excel uses analogous VLOOKUP syntax. XLOOKUP can return fields to either side of the key where available. Microsoft also provides a version-aware function catalogue. Consult the eight-software comparison for navigation, but verify formula semantics in each destination app before copying a workbook.
Related guides
Official reference and verification
- ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor — function documentation
- ONLYOFFICE’s official function-entry guide
- official changelog
Verification status: Official documentation checked; example outcomes were independently reasoned or arithmetically checked where applicable. Not executed in ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor.
- No genuine ONLYOFFICE Spreadsheet Editor screenshots are included; this guide does not use mock application images.