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In this article
DGET returns a single value from the row that matches — and, usefully, refuses to guess when more than one row matches.
Syntax
=DGET(database, field, criteria)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
criteria |
A small criteria range: header row copied from the data, conditions in the rows below. Same row = AND, separate rows = OR. |
Examples
Example 1
=DGET(A1:F500, "Email", H1:I2)Email for the customer matching both name and city.
Common errors and fixes
| You see | Why, and the fix |
|---|---|
#NUM! |
More than one row matched — a built-in duplicate check. |
#VALUE! |
Nothing matched. |
DGET in practice
Where you will use it
- Fetch exactly one value with complex criteria
- Lookup with AND/OR conditions
- Check that a match is unique
Worked example
Same database; DGET succeeds only when exactly one record matches.
| Case | Criteria | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region = West | =IFERROR(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error "&ERROR.TYPE(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 22000 |
| 2 | Region = North | =IFERROR(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error "&ERROR.TYPE(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | error 6 |
| 3 | Customer = Zaidi | =IFERROR(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error "&ERROR.TYPE(DGET(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | error 3 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| More than one match | Error 6 (#NUM!): make the criteria more specific |
| No match | Error 3 (#VALUE!) |
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📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Database (D…) functions6 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 33 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
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