While Microsoft does not officially provide for Excel 2010, you can add this functionality for free using community-developed User Defined Functions (UDFs) or third-party add-ins. Recommended Free Add-ins is natively exclusive to Microsoft 365
and Excel 2021+, the following tools bridge the gap for Excel 2010 users: Excel-DNA XFunctions
: A popular open-source project that provides high-performance versions of for older Excel versions. : Fast execution; works like a native function. : Requires downloading an file specific to your version (32-bit vs. 64-bit). HB Sort/XLOOKUP VBA
: A solution by Hermann Baum that uses VBA to replicate the exact parameter lists of the original Microsoft functions.
: Easy to integrate by just downloading a sample Excel file or copying the code. : Slightly slower than compiled add-ins for massive datasets. Custom VBA Snippets : You can manually add a basic version of to any workbook by pasting into a Module. Comparison Review: Add-in vs. Native Excel-DNA/XFunctions: XLOOKUP and XMATCH for ... - GitHub
While Microsoft officially limits XLOOKUP to Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365, users of older versions like Excel 2010 can still access its functionality through third-party add-ins or custom VBA scripts. Free XLOOKUP Add-In Options
Several independent developers have created "backported" versions of XLOOKUP that function in older Excel releases:
Excel-DNA XFunctions: A popular open-source project hosted on GitHub. It provides .xll files (32-bit and 64-bit) that add native-feeling XLOOKUP and XMATCH functions to Excel 2010.
Hermann Baum's UDFs: This site offers a downloadable Excel file containing VBA code for XLOOKUP, SORT, and FILTER. These are User Defined Functions (UDFs) that use the same parameters as the official Microsoft version.
ExcelTip Custom Add-In: Provides a specific .xlam file that simplifies the complex INDEX-MATCH combo into a single XLOOKUP-style syntax for older versions. How to Install the Add-In for Excel 2010 xlookup add in download for excel 2010 free download
Once you have downloaded your preferred add-in (typically an .xll or .xlam file), follow these steps to activate it in Excel 2010:
XLOOKUP is a powerful function typically exclusive to Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021. However, users of Excel 2010 can still access its functionality by downloading a community-made XLOOKUP add-in or using custom VBA code. How to Get XLOOKUP in Excel 2010
Since Microsoft does not officially support XLOOKUP for 2010, you must use a third-party add-in to enable the formula. 1. Recommended XLOOKUP Add-In Downloads
Several free tools can "backport" XLOOKUP into older versions:
XFunctions (GitHub): An open-source project by Excel-DNA that provides separate 32-bit and 64-bit .xll files to add XLOOKUP and XMATCH to any Windows version of Excel.
Hermann-Baum XLOOKUP: A VBA-based download available from hermann-baum.de that includes XLOOKUP, SORT, and FILTER functions for Excel 2007 through 2019.
Custom .xlam from ExcelTip: A simple User Defined Function (UDF) that replicates XLOOKUP using INDEX and MATCH logic. 2. Installation Steps To install these add-ins in Excel 2010:
Download the appropriate file (usually a .xll or .xlam file) for your Excel version (32-bit or 64-bit). Open Excel 2010 and go to File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom, select Excel Add-ins from the "Manage" dropdown and click Go. Click Browse, find your downloaded file, and select it. While Microsoft does not officially provide for Excel
Ensure the add-in is checked in the list and click OK. You can now use =XLOOKUP() in your spreadsheets. Alternative: Using VBA (No Download Required)
If you cannot download files due to security restrictions, you can manually add XLOOKUP functionality using a VBA script: Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA Editor. Go to Insert > Module. Paste the following basic logic into the window:
Function XLOOKUP(lookup_value As Variant, lookup_array As Range, return_array As Range) XLOOKUP = WorksheetFunction.Index(return_array, WorksheetFunction.Match(lookup_value, lookup_array, 0)) End Function Use code with caution.
Close the editor. You can now use this simplified XLOOKUP in that specific workbook. Why Use XLOOKUP? XLOOKUP is the successor to VLOOKUP because it:
While XLOOKUP is officially only available in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365, you can add its functionality to Excel 2010 through community-developed add-ins and custom User Defined Functions (UDFs). Top XLOOKUP Add-In Options for Excel 2010
Excel-DNA XFunctions (GitHub): This is a popular open-source project that provides high-performance versions of XLOOKUP and XMATCH. It includes separate versions for 32-bit and 64-bit Excel installations to ensure system compatibility. You can find binary releases on the XFunctions GitHub page.
Hermann-Baum VBA Solution: Provides a downloadable Excel file containing VBA code that replicates the exact parameter lists of Microsoft's native functions for Excel versions dating back to 2007. This is ideal if you prefer a script-based solution over a compiled .xll add-in.
ExcelTip Custom XLOOKUP: Offers a lightweight .xlam add-in file that simplifies lookups by wrapping the standard INDEX-MATCH logic into a cleaner XLOOKUP syntax. How to Install the Add-In
Download the appropriate file (e.g., the .xll file from Excel-DNA or a .xlam file). Open Excel 2010 and navigate to File > Options > Add-ins. Select Excel Add-ins in the "Manage" dropdown and click Go. Users with datasets over 500
Click Browse, locate your downloaded file, and click OK to register it. Ensure the add-in is checked in the list and click OK. Key Limitations to Consider
No Dynamic Arrays: Older versions of Excel do not support "spilling" results. If an add-in function returns multiple values, you must enter it as a CSE (Ctrl+Shift+Enter) array formula.
Compatibility: If you share your workbook with someone who doesn't have the same add-in installed, the formulas will return an #NAME? error. For better portability, consider using the classic INDEX and MATCH combination.
XLOOKUP is a modern lookup function introduced by Microsoft in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365. It is not natively available in Excel 2010. There is no official, free add-in from Microsoft that adds true XLOOKUP functionality to Excel 2010. Any third-party add-in claiming to add XLOOKUP to Excel 2010 is either a custom VBA-based simulation (with limitations) or potentially unsafe. Users seeking similar functionality in Excel 2010 must rely on alternative native functions or third-party UDFs (User Defined Functions).
XLOOKUP is a modern lookup function introduced by Microsoft in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365. It is not natively available in Excel 2010. Despite numerous third-party websites claiming to offer a “free XLOOKUP add-in for Excel 2010,” no official or reliable add-in exists that replicates XLOOKUP’s full functionality in Excel 2010. Users seeking similar capabilities must rely on alternative formulas or custom VBA solutions.
Cause: Excel 2010 sometimes unloads non-default add-ins.
Fix: In Add-ins dialog, check the box for XLOOKUP, then click OK. Then immediately save a blank workbook as your default template.
Yes, absolutely.
If you manage data in Excel 2010 and frequently use VLOOKUP, you will save hours each week by switching to XLOOKUP. The free add-in is stable, lightweight, and requires no coding knowledge.
Who should download it:
Who should not use it:
Cause: The add-in is not loaded or VBA macros are disabled.
Fix: Go to File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings → Macro Settings → Enable all macros (restart Excel).