# VLOOKUP two CSV files: add a column from another file

**Use case:** 

Join two tables by a key column like VLOOKUP: each row of the main file gets the matching row's fields from the lookup file, renamed as you like. Works on CSV, JSON, Excel and Apify datasets. Here: exchange rates with last year's rate added.

## Input

```json
{
  "fileUrl": "https://api.fiscaldata.treasury.gov/services/api/fiscal_service/v1/accounting/od/rates_of_exchange?format=csv&filter=record_date:eq:2025-12-31&page[size]=300",
  "lookupFileUrl": "https://api.fiscaldata.treasury.gov/services/api/fiscal_service/v1/accounting/od/rates_of_exchange?format=csv&filter=record_date:eq:2024-12-31&page[size]=300",
  "joinOn": [
    "country_currency_desc"
  ],
  "matchAs": "text",
  "joinType": "left",
  "multipleMatches": "first",
  "lookupFields": [
    "exchange_rate -> rateAYearEarlier",
    "record_date -> rateDateAYearEarlier"
  ],
  "addMatchedField": true
}
```

## Output

```json
{
  "country": {
    "label": "Country",
    "format": "text"
  },
  "currency": {
    "label": "Currency",
    "format": "text"
  },
  "exchange_rate": {
    "label": "Units per USD (2025-12-31)",
    "format": "text"
  },
  "rateAYearEarlier": {
    "label": "A year earlier",
    "format": "text"
  },
  "rateDateAYearEarlier": {
    "label": "Earlier rate's date",
    "format": "text"
  },
  "joinMatched": {
    "label": "Matched",
    "format": "boolean"
  }
}
```

## About this Actor

This example demonstrates how to use [Join Datasets: VLOOKUP & Merge Two Datasets or CSV Files](https://apify.com/humble-echidna/dataset-join.md) with a specific input configuration. Visit the [Actor detail page](https://apify.com/humble-echidna/dataset-join.md) to learn more, explore other use cases, and run it yourself.


## How to integrate an Actor?

This Task's input is already configured above. Use it as-is rather than inventing a new one.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For full API examples (JavaScript, Python, CLI, MCP, OpenAPI), see this Task's Actor page: https://apify.com/humble-echidna/dataset-join.md

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).