Try this experiment...

Open a new workbook
Hit function key F5
In the reference box type A51:A25050
Hit ENTER
Type this formula: =ROW()-50
Hold down the CTRL key then hit ENTER

Hit function key F5
In the reference box type B51:B25050
Hit ENTER
Type this formula: =25001-A51
Hold down the CTRL key then hit ENTER

Now, using your method, col A is already sorted, find the value from column
B that corresponds to 22222 in column A.

After you've done that scroll back up to cell D51 and enter this formula in
D51:

=VLOOKUP(22222,A:B,2)

Which method is faster?

Now, how would you do this using your method if the data was random and
*could not be sorted* ?

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"ChuckW" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I am an intermediate Excel user who has been asked to learn what a VLookup
does. I read through an "Excel Bible" on the matter and checked the
online
help. I can't seem to figure out why it is so valuable. Why not just
sort
your records when looking to find or isolate on a value. Can someone tell
me
when a VLookup can be more valuable than simply sorting records?

Thanks,
--
Chuck W