Using VLOOKUP with the TRUE parameter on two sorted lists, Excel consistently
returns the value from the previous row if there is NOT an exact match. For
example (the lookup range):

Aberson Cats
Acosta Apples
Adair Apples
Adkins Cats

The results:

Aberson Cats
Acostan Cats
Adair Apples
Adkens Apples

As you see, the two inexact matches (Acostan and Adkens) returned values
from the lookup cell in the immediately preceding row rather than the value
in the row with the similar name. VLOOKUP clearly is successfully doing the
fuzzy match. It just won't return the right value. I've seen this before as
well. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

This is how VLOOKUP works - if you want to get an exact match you
should set the fourth argument to FALSE or 0, whether or not the lookup
table is sorted.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Thanks for your response but I do not want an exact match. I want a fuzzy
match.

Excel is making a correct fuzzy match on row 2, but pulling the
corresponding value from row 1. This can't be what's intended.

Ah. I think I see what you mean now. It doesn't make a fuzzy match at all.
It simply takes the next lowest value. Yes?