Lookup() looks into a table that is already loaded and returns the value of field_name corresponding to the first occurrence of the value match_field_value in the field match_field_name. The table can be the current table or another table previously loaded.
Syntax:
lookup(field_name, match_field_name, match_field_value [, table_name])
Return data type: dual
Arguments:
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| field_name | Name of the field for which the return value is required.Input value must be given as a string (for example, quoted literals). |
| match_field_name | Name of the field to look up match_field_value in. Input value must be given as a string (for example, quoted literals). |
| match_field_value | Value to look up in match_field_name field. |
| table_name |
Name of the table in which to look up the value. Input value must be given as a string (for example quoted literals). If table_name is omitted the current table is assumed. |
Limitations:
The order in which the search is made is the load order, unless the table is the result of complex operations such as joins, in which case, the order is not well defined. Both field_name and match_field_name must be fields in the same table, specified by table_name.
If no match is found, NULL is returned.
Example:
The sample data uses the Lookup() function in the following form:
Lookup('Category', 'ProductID', ProductID, 'ProductList')
Add the example script to your document and run it. Then add, at least, the fields listed in the results column to a sheet in your document to see the result.
ProductList:
Load * Inline [
ProductID|Product|Category|Price
1|AA|1|1
2|BB|1|3
3|CC|2|8
4|DD|3|2
] (delimiter is '|');
OrderData:
Load *, Lookup('Category', 'ProductID', ProductID, 'ProductList') as CategoryID
Inline [
InvoiceID|CustomerID|ProductID|Units
1|Astrida|1|8
1|Astrida|2|6
2|Betacab|3|10
3|Divadip|3|5
4|Divadip|4|10
] (delimiter is '|');
Drop Table ProductList
The ProductList table is loaded first.
The Lookup() function is used to build the OrderData table. It specifies the third argument as ProductID. This is the field for which the value is to be looked up in the second argument 'ProductID' in the ProductList, as denoted by the enclosing single quotes.
The function returns the value for 'Category' (in the ProductList table), loaded as CategoryID.
The drop statement deletes the ProductList table from the data model, because it is not required, which leaves the OrderData table with the following result:
| ProductID | InvoiceID | CustomerID | Units | CategoryID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Astrida | 8 | 1 |
| 2 | 1 | Astrida | 6 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | Betacab | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | Divadip | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | 4 | Divadip | 10 | 3 |
