The binary search algorithm, also known as a half-interval search is a method for finding a target in an ordered list. Microsoft Excel refers to the linear method as the Exact Match method.

Linear search is practical when the list has only a few elements, when performing a single search in an unordered list or for searching a list that cannot be ordered. Visualisation of the linear search algorithm where 11 is the target value. Thus it can be said that the amount of time time it takes a linear search to find an item is proportionate to the position of the target value in the list. It sequentially checks each element of the list for a target value until a match is found or until all elements have been checked. The linear search algorithm, also known as a sequential search is a method for finding a target value within a list, be it ordered or not. This article will not, however, describe detailed behaviour and usage guidance for each of the individual functions.

Each of the functions referenced supports Excel’s binary search algorithm. The purpose of this article is to describe how the approximate match method works, otherwise known as the binary search algorithm. There are other things that you can do with lookup’s!Įxcel exposes four lookup functions, namely LOOKUP(), VLOOKUP(), HLOOKUP() and MATCH().The exact match method is often the main reason why your workbooks take ages to calculate. The approximate match method is much faster.You may be wondering why it is necessary to learn the approximate match method when you’ve been quite comfortable using the exact match method for years. Ask the same eight if they ever use the approximate match flavour and you will be lucky to get confirmation from one!

Ask ten regular Excel users what their favourite formula function is, eight will probably reply with ‘VLOOKUP’.

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