What does the 'lookup_value' in a VLookup function represent?

The 'lookup_value' in a VLookup function represents the value that you want to search for within the first column of a specified table range. This parameter is crucial because it tells Excel what specific data to look for as it searches down the first column of the selected range. It serves as the starting point for the function, allowing it to identify the row from which to retrieve related information.

Understanding the role of 'lookup_value' is essential for effectively using VLookup, as it directly influences the search process and the accuracy of the returned data. If the 'lookup_value' doesn’t exist in the first column, VLookup will return an error. The other options refer to different aspects of the VLookup function. The table range represents where the function looks for the data, the desired result refers to the output returned, and the index indicates which column to pull data from relative to the starting position, but none of these define what the 'lookup_value' specifically is.