IFERROR evaluates VLOOKUP first and uses its fallback only when that lookup fails. Here P-999 is missing, so #N/A is caught and replaced with Not found.
Search for a value in the first column of a table and retrieve data from another column in the same row.
A2The value to search for in the first column of the range.D2:D7VLOOKUP always searches the first column of the table.E2:E7The column number in the table from which to retrieve the value.FALSEExactIf TRUE or omitted, it finds an approximate match. If FALSE, it looks for an exact match.Check a formula for errors. Return a fallback value when one occurs, or the formula result when it does not.
VLOOKUP(A2,D2:E7,2,FALSE)The value or formula that you want to evaluate for potential errors."Not found"The value to return if the first argument is an error.The inner VLOOKUP returns #N/A. IFERROR marks that error as caught, selects the fallback, and returns Not found instead.
The rows above are ordered from the innermost calculation to the final result. Excel has to finish an inner function before the function around it can use that value. Edit a cell in the grid to see that dependency chain update for real.
The sample spreadsheet is fully editable. Change the formula or any cell it references. The intermediate values recalculate in your browser.
Here is an exercise that uses IFERROR. Type the formula into a real spreadsheet and we will check your answer as you go.
Search across three inventory lists and return "Not found" only when a code is missing everywhere.
Open exerciseIf this formula is not doing what you expect, one of these is usually why.
The wrapped lookup is failing every time. Test VLOOKUP on its own to expose the original error, then check the lookup value, range, and column number.
No. IFERROR catches any Excel error, including #REF!, #VALUE!, and #DIV/0!. Use IFNA when only a missing lookup should trigger the fallback.
Yes. A bad range or invalid column number can look like an ordinary Not found result. Debug the inner formula before wrapping it.
Change A2 to an ID present in D2:D7, such as P-104. VLOOKUP will return 32 and IFERROR will pass it through without using the fallback.