5 Ways To Add Fuzzy Lookup In Excel

Excel is an incredibly powerful tool for data analysis, but one of its limitations is the ability to perform fuzzy lookups. Fuzzy lookups are a type of lookup that allows you to find matches between data sets based on similarity rather than exact matches. This can be particularly useful when working with data that contains variations in spelling, formatting, or other inconsistencies.

In this article, we will explore five ways to add fuzzy lookup in Excel, using a combination of formulas, add-ins, and third-party tools.

Understanding Fuzzy Lookup

Before we dive into the different methods, let's take a brief moment to understand what fuzzy lookup is and why it's useful. Fuzzy lookup is a type of lookup that uses algorithms to find matches between data sets based on similarity rather than exact matches. This can be useful when working with data that contains variations in spelling, formatting, or other inconsistencies.

Method 1: Using the VLOOKUP Function with Fuzzy Matching

One way to perform fuzzy lookups in Excel is by using the VLOOKUP function with fuzzy matching. This method involves using the VLOOKUP function in combination with the IFERROR function to return a value based on a fuzzy match.

To use this method, follow these steps:

• Create a new column next to your data range
• Use the VLOOKUP function to look up the value in the new column
• Use the IFERROR function to return a value based on a fuzzy match

Here's an example formula:

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, B:C, 2, FALSE), VLOOKUP(SUBSTITUTE(A2, " ", ""), B:C, 2, FALSE))

This formula looks up the value in cell A2 in the range B:C, and returns the corresponding value in the second column. If the lookup fails, it uses the SUBSTITUTE function to remove any spaces from the lookup value and then performs the lookup again.

Method 2: Using the INDEX/MATCH Function with Fuzzy Matching

Another way to perform fuzzy lookups in Excel is by using the INDEX/MATCH function with fuzzy matching. This method involves using the INDEX/MATCH function to return a value based on a fuzzy match.

To use this method, follow these steps:

• Create a new column next to your data range
• Use the INDEX/MATCH function to look up the value in the new column
• Use the IFERROR function to return a value based on a fuzzy match

Here's an example formula:

=INDEX(C:C, MATCH(A2, B:B, 0))

This formula looks up the value in cell A2 in the range B:B, and returns the corresponding value in the range C:C. If the lookup fails, it uses the IFERROR function to return a value based on a fuzzy match.

Method 3: Using the Fuzzy Lookup Add-in

If you're looking for a more straightforward solution, you can use the Fuzzy Lookup add-in for Excel. This add-in allows you to perform fuzzy lookups with ease, using a simple and intuitive interface.

To use the Fuzzy Lookup add-in, follow these steps:

• Download and install the Fuzzy Lookup add-in from the Microsoft Office Store
• Create a new column next to your data range
• Select the data range and click on the Fuzzy Lookup button in the ribbon
• Choose the fuzzy matching algorithm and threshold value
• Click OK to perform the fuzzy lookup

Method 4: Using the Power Query Editor

Power Query is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to perform data manipulation and analysis with ease. One of the features of Power Query is the ability to perform fuzzy lookups using the Fuzzy Match algorithm.

To use the Power Query Editor, follow these steps:

• Select the data range and go to the Data tab in the ribbon
• Click on the From Table/Range button to create a new query
• In the Power Query Editor, click on the Add Column tab
• Choose the Fuzzy Match algorithm and threshold value
• Click OK to perform the fuzzy lookup

Method 5: Using Third-Party Tools

Finally, if you're looking for a more comprehensive solution, you can use third-party tools such as fuzzywuzzy or Excel-Fuzzy-Lookup. These tools provide advanced fuzzy matching algorithms and easy-to-use interfaces.

To use third-party tools, follow these steps:

• Download and install the third-party tool from the vendor's website
• Create a new column next to your data range
• Select the data range and use the tool's interface to perform the fuzzy lookup

Gallery of Fuzzy Lookup in Excel

Fuzzy Lookup in Excel Image Gallery

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive guide to adding fuzzy lookup in Excel. Whether you're using formulas, add-ins, or third-party tools, fuzzy lookup can be a powerful tool in your data analysis arsenal.