How to Use the HLOOKUP Function in WPS on Windows

Last updated:July 17, 2026

Use HLOOKUP with 4 how-to topics, all available without membership; choose a topic from the index and follow the entry point and steps to complete it.

How-to Index

#TopicMembership
11. Enter the HLOOKUP functionFree
22. Fill in the arguments with promptsFree
33. Use cross-sheet referencesFree
44. Check results and recalculateFree

How-to Guide

1. Enter the HLOOKUP function

Entry point: Formulas tab → formula bar

  1. Open WPS AirSheet and select the cell where you want to enter the formula.
  2. Type = in the formula bar or directly in the cell.
  3. Type HLOOKUP(.
  4. Review the syntax prompt that appears automatically and confirm the function name and argument order.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The cell enters formula editing mode and shows the HLOOKUP syntax prompt.
  • Next actions: You can continue entering the lookup value, data range, return row number, and other arguments.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: If you do not type = first, the content may be treated as plain text.
  • Environment limits: You need to work in an editable cell in WPS AirSheet.

2. Fill in the arguments with prompts

Entry point: Select the target cell → formula bar

  1. After HLOOKUP(, enter the lookup value.
  2. Enter the data range and make sure the first row contains the value you want to find.
  3. Enter the return row number.
  4. Add the exact-match or approximate-match argument if needed.
  5. Press Enter to confirm the formula.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The cell shows a calculated result instead of raw formula text.
  • Next actions: You can copy the formula to other cells for more calculations.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: Missing separators or an unclosed parenthesis can cause a formula error.
  • Environment limits: If the first row of the selected range does not contain the lookup value, the result may not return correctly.

3. Use cross-sheet references

Entry point: Formula bar → select a range on another sheet

  1. Enter the first part of the HLOOKUP formula in the current cell.
  2. Switch to the sheet that contains the source data.
  3. Select the range to use as table_array.
  4. Return to the formula and complete the return row number and match argument.
  5. Press Enter to finish the cross-sheet reference.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The formula includes a reference to another worksheet.
  • Next actions: When the source sheet changes, you can review the updated result in the current sheet.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: Selecting an incomplete range can affect the returned result.
  • Environment limits: The related worksheets need to be available in the current file.

4. Check results and recalculate

Entry point: Result cell → formula bar / keyboard shortcut

  1. Check whether the returned result matches the target data.
  2. If the result is incorrect, review the lookup value format, argument count, and referenced range.
  3. Check for text-formatted numbers or circular references.
  4. Press F9 when you need to recalculate manually.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The result cell shows the correct lookup value.
  • Next actions: You can continue editing source data and review automatic updates or manual recalculation results.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: Numbers stored as text can cause unexpected matching results.
  • Environment limits: Manual recalculation depends on the worksheet being able to calculate normally.