{smcl}
{* 09oct2003}{...}
{hline}
help for {hi:vlookup}
{hline}

{title:Indexing command}


{p 8 30}{cmd:vlookup} {it:varname,} {cmdab:g:enerate:(}{it:newvar}{cmd:)}
{cmdab:k:ey:(}{it:varname}{cmd:)}  {cmdab:v:alue:(}{it:varname}{cmd:)}


{title:Description}

{p 4 4 2}
{cmd:vlookup} creates a new variable based on a search for a value in the key variable, and then returns a value in the same row from the key value variable in your new variable.


{title:Options}

{p 4 8 2}
{cmd:generate(}{it:newvar}{cmd:)} is not optional.  It specifies the
name of the variable to be created.

{p 4 8 2}
{cmd:key(}{it:newvar}{cmd:)} is not optional.  You must specify the
name of the key variable.

{p 4 8 2}
{cmd:value(}{it:newvar}{cmd:)} is not optional. You must specify the
name of the variable that contains the key values.



{title:Examples}

        Here, we will give one mechanical example.

	{cmd:. list}

		ship_zip   ship_city   receive_zip
	1.      {res}76710       {res}city1         {res}76710{txt}
	2.      {res}77845       {res}city2         {res}76710{txt}
	3.      {res}77802       {res}city3         {res}77845{txt}

	{cmd:. vlookup receive_zip, gen(receive_city) key(ship_zip) value(ship_city)}

	{cmd:. list}

		ship_zip   ship_city   receive_zip   receive_city
	1.      {res}76710       {res}city1         {res}76710          {res}city1{txt}
	2.      {res}77845       {res}city2         {res}76710          {res}city1{txt}
	3.      {res}77802       {res}city3         {res}77845          {res}city2{txt}

{p 4 4 2}
That is, the new variable {hi:receive_city} is formed by matching the values in the key variable {hi:ship_zip} with the values in the {cmd:vlookp} variable {hi:receive_city} and key values in {hi:ship_city}.