Using the vlookup function (closest match)

In the previous video ("Vlookup with exact match"), we've seen how to retrieve Jake's score, by looking it up in the accompanying table. But what if his score is between the scores mentioned in that table, for example, 74?
That's where "Closest Match" comes into action. Excel will find the value 70 as the closest match to 74 (vlookup will always find the lowest closest match!), and retrieve the letter C from the second column.

Have a look at the video - actually all you have to change is the word "false" to "true". This will tell the computer - "In case you don't find the value in the table, you can use a smaller existing one".

Using the "Closest Match" option is not useful when looking up ID numbers or names, but when you are dealing with values that fall into some range, for example dates, currency, age groups or scores, then you have almost no other choice.