Quote every package in the batch from the tier card
The rate card has breakpoints (0 / 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 lb). The shipping desk has 8 packages today with weights all over the range. Approximate-match VLOOKUP picks the largest tier ≤ each weight automatically — write the formula once in F2, lock the tier table with $ signs, and drag down through F9.
Look up tiered shipping rate by package weight
Practice using VLOOKUP to solve a real small business problem. By the end, you’ll know when to reach for it and how to structure the arguments correctly.
End-of-day shipping quotes are due in 30 minutes. The rate card has breakpoints — 0 / 1 / 5 / 10 / 25 lb — and today's batch has packages all over the weight range. Approximate-match VLOOKUP picks the largest tier ≤ each package weight automatically, so the same formula handles every quote without an IF chain.
In F2, return the shipping rate for the package weight in E2 using approximate-match VLOOKUP. Lock the tier table (A2:B6) with $ signs so it doesn't shift, then drag the formula down through F9.
VLOOKUP searches the first column of a table for a value, then returns a value from a column you specify to the right. It's the most common lookup pattern in Excel: 'find this ID, return the matching name'. The fourth argument controls the match type, and almost always wants to be FALSE for exact match.
VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])Try the formula first. Hints cost CP for a reason.