LOOKUP and COUNTIF Function

Users Manual
This manual was created using Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011.

LOOKUP (vector) function

The LOOKUP (vector) function searches a single row or column for a specified value
and returns a value from the same position in a second row or column. LOOKUP (vector)
is used when you want to specify the range that contains the values you want to match.
The syntax for LOOKUP (vector) function is:
LOOKUP(lookup_value,lookup_vector,[result_vector])
Arguments:

Lookup_value is a required value that LOOKUP searches for in the first vector.
The value may be a number, text, a logical value, or a name or reference.
Lookup_vector is a range that contains only one row or column. Lookup_vector is
a required argument and may be numbers, text, or logical values.
Result_vector is an optionally used argument. It is a range that contains only one
row or column. Result_vector must be the same size as lookup_vector.

*In order to make this function work, the Lookup_vector must be in ascending
order (smallest to largest)*
Directions:
We will be using the LOOKUP function to determine what each students grade is based
on our class-grading schedule.
1. Using our created sample data, begin by selecting the cell where youd like your
results of the function to be (cell D3 in this example).
2. Click on the Formulas tab from the ribbon and choose Formula Builder. Formula
Builder searches for formulas and helps you with formula syntax.
3. In the search bar of the Formula Builder, type in LOOKUP and then double-click
the function from the list.

4. The Select Argument dialogue box will appear since the LOOKUP function has
multiple argument lists.
5. Select lookup_value,lookup-_vector,result_vector underneath Arguments and click
OK.

6. After clicking OK, the Arguments should appear at the bottom of the Formula Builder
dialogue box.

7. Under Arguments of the dialogue box, click on the lookup_value line. Then select on
the cell you wish to search for in the first vectorin this example, we selected cell
C3 of the first students total points earned.
8. Next, click on the lookup_vector line in the dialogue box and highlight the range of
cells you want the function to search to find the Lookup_valuein this example, we
highlighted cells $L$3:$L$15^ of the low-point range of our class grading schedule.
(Remember, these values must be in ascending order)

9. Last, click on the result_vector line. Highlight the cells in the worksheet that will be
entered in the dialogue boxthis example contains the grade letters of our classgrading schedule; we highlighted cells $K$3:$K$15^.
^Note: Be sure to include the currency symbol, $ in front of each character to lock in the
formula for the lookup_vector and result_vector arguments. We want the references to
be fixed when they are being copied.

10. Click the enter key and close the dialogue box. Finish off by grabbing the bottom
right-hand corner of the resulted cell and drag it all the way down to copy the formula
in the next cellsbased on the results, our first student, Zornia Abreus final grade
letter is a B, Yoon Akin earned a C+, etc.

COUNTIF Function
The COUNTIF function combines the IF function and COUNT function. It counts the
number of times a specific data is found in the selected group of cells. The IF decides
what data meets the stated criteria and the COUNT does the counting.
The syntax for COUNTIF function is:
COUNTIF(range,criteria)
Arguments:

Range tells which group of cells to search when finding the specified criteria.
Criteria are the data that is found in the range argument and is in the form of a
number, expression, cell reference, or text.

Directions:
Now that we have figured out all the final grades assigned; we will use the COUNTIF
function to count how many students have each final grade.
1. To begin, select the cell where youd like your results of the function to beselected
cell H2 in this example
2. Click on the Formulas tab from the ribbon and choose Formula Builder. Formula
Builder searches for formulas and helps you with formula syntax.

3. In the search bar of the Formula Builder, type in COUNTIF and then double-click
the function from the list.
4. The Arguments should appear at the bottom of the Formula Builder dialogue box.

5. In the range argument, select the range of cells you want to countin this example
we select cells $D$3:$D$52^. We want to count this range of final grades.

^Note: Again, be sure to include the currency symbol, $ in front of each character to lock
in the formula for the range argument. We want the references to be fixed when they are
being copied.
6. In the criteria argument, enter a number, expression, text, or cell reference to be
counted. The function will search the range selected from the previous stepin this
example we chose cell G2, of the final grade letter column.

7. To complete the formula, click the enter key and close the dialogue box. Finish off by
grabbing the bottom right-hand corner of the resulted cell and drag it all the way
down to copy the formula in the next cellsbased on the results: we have 2 students
who made an A+, 0 who made an A, 5 who made an A-, and so on.