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Resolving VLOOKUP Issues with Table Matching in Your Tool

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Hi Team - lookup from table to table has it's own new language that is causing logic errors. What I mean by that is that it is not clear how to create a very simple vlookup style retrieval. Your tool is missing a field - "which value would you like to import to the new table?" I see: -Pick the table you want to look at (you call this 'Table to Search') -Pick the column you want to look at in that table (you call this 'Target Column') -filter operator (equals). This is straightforward. -"Row value" is where everyone is lost. "Row value?" How about "Bring back this 'COLUMN VALUE') All I want to do is match on domain name and bring back a single value (from a COLUMN) into the other table. Where do we say we want to extract this SPECIFIC COLUMN? It is not in the interface, which makes me think this clay function is not used by anyone, and another one is more appropriate. https://app.clay.com/workspaces/211231/workbooks/wb_0swktpk8kFSd8a2kUQm/tables/t_0swktpkkv7n8MPcVDuM/views/gv_0swktpkFWdxYJEFGf2B How do you match tables and values and move them over like a simple vlookup in excel?

10 comments

Channeled
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To perform a vlookup-style operation in Clay—matching tables by a column (like domain name) and retrieving a specific value into another table—use the Lookup Rows feature: 1. Add a Lookup Enrichment to your destination table. 2. Choose "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" if you want to retrieve just one matching row (faster), or "Lookup Multiple Rows in Other Table" for multiple matches. 3. Set up the following inputs: • Table to Search: Select the source table you want to pull data from. • Target Column: Choose the column in the source table to match against (e.g., domain name). • Filter Operator: Usually "equals" for exact matches. • Row Value: Select the column from your current table that contains the value to match (e.g., the domain name in your destination table). After the lookup runs, the result will be available in the enrichment column. You can then expand this result to pull in the specific field (column) you want from the matched row—just like specifying which value to return in Excel's vlookup. This setup allows you to match on a key (like domain) and bring over any specific column value you need into your new table.
Sources: Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University
Ewing G.
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ChatGPT is having a hard time too. It even mentioned "Things can be very nonstandard in Clay" This feels like one of those nonstandard things that you just "have to know"
Channeled
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To perform a vlookup-style operation in Clay—matching tables by a column (like domain name) and retrieving a specific value into another table—use the Lookup Rows feature: 1. Add a Lookup Enrichment to your destination table. 2. Choose either "Lookup Single Row in Other Table" (for one match) or "Lookup Multiple Rows in Other Table" (for multiple matches). 3. Set up the following inputs: • Table to Search: Select the source table you want to pull data from. • Target Column: Choose the column in the source table to match against (e.g., domain name). • Filter Operator: Usually "equals" for exact matches. • Row Value: Select the column from your current table that contains the value to match (e.g., the domain name in your destination table). After the lookup runs, the result appears in the enrichment column. To extract a specific field (column) from the matched row, click into the cell to open the Cell Details panel, where you can select and bring in the exact value you need—similar to specifying the return column in Excel's vlookup. This process allows you to match on a key and pull over any specific column value into your new table.
Sources: Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University
Ewing G.
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OMG the extraction happens AFTER? I'm still seeing that NO RECORDS MATCH. The data sets are identical. They came from the same source. Hundreds of rows match
Ewing G.
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You sent me to just a bullet list of words. I am doing exactly what this says to do and getting no matches.
Channeled
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If you're seeing "NO RECORDS MATCH" when using Clay's lookup feature—even though your datasets are identical and should match by domain name—there are a few common causes to check: ** Exact Match Requirement: The lookup uses the "Equal To" (==) operator, which requires an exact match between the values in the "Target Column" (in the source table) and the "Row Value" (in your current table). Even minor differences—such as extra spaces, capitalization, or hidden characters—will prevent a match. Double-check that both columns are formatted identically and contain no leading/trailing spaces or case differences . ** Column Selection: Ensure you are matching the correct columns. The "Target Column" should be the domain name column in the source table, and the "Row Value" should be the domain name column in your current table , . ** Data Type Consistency: Both columns should be of the same data type (e.g., both as text). Mismatched types can cause lookups to fail. ** No Multiple Column Filters: Clay's lookup only supports filtering by one column at a time. If you try to match on multiple columns, it won't work . To perform a vlookup-style retrieval: 1. Add a Lookup Enrichment to your table. 2. Select the source table, the target column (domain), the filter operator ("equals"), and the row value (domain in your current table). 3. After the lookup, expand the enrichment result to extract the specific column value you want. If you've checked all the above and still see no matches, try copying a domain value from one table and pasting it into the other to test for hidden differences. If issues persist, you can request human assistance by clicking on "Talk to a person" for further troubleshooting.
Sources: Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University Comparison operators | Documentation | Clay University Lookup Rows | Documentation | Clay University
Ewing G.
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https://app.clay.com/workspaces/211231/workbooks/wb_0swktpk8kFSd8a2kUQm/tables/t_0swktwjwVMJXhVtJt4E/views/gv_0swktwkTwDhTqe3K6Av
Ewing G.
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Abigail K. ^^
Ewing G.
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Smit V. ^^ per my DM
Smit V.
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Hi there, The lookup function wasn’t working because the column value wasn’t entered correctly. To use it, please type ‘/’ first - this will open a list of available columns. From there, you can select the appropriate column. Also, the lookup record feature gives you access to the entire row’s data, not just a single value like VLOOKUP. This means you can selectively use any values you need from the fetched record.
Incorrect Way:
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Correct Way:
(185 kB)

Resolving VLOOKUP Issues with Table Matching in Your Tool | Clay