In short, you’re giving INDEX directions like, “In this block of cells, go down
this many rows and over this many columns, and show me what’s there.
On its own, the INDEX formula is not that useful. How often will you actually know
where something is in a spreadsheet? We need a smart way to figure out exactly
where our needed data is hiding.
That’s where the MATCH function steps in. MATCH tells INDEX exactly where to go by
giving it the row or column number.
How to Use the MATCH Function in Excel
The Excel MATCH function is your quick-find tool in a sea of data. If you’ve got a
list—any list, like names or numbers—and you need to know the spot where a specific
item is, MATCH is your go-to.
It scans through your list and tells you exactly where your item sits, saving you
from the headache of searching through row after row.
The Excel MATCH function is like a helper that tells the INDEX function where to
find the information you’re looking for. Unlike other functions that tell you
what’s in a cell, MATCH tells you where the cell is located in your list or table.
Here’s how you set up the MATCH function:
=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
lookup_value (what you’re searching for): This is the piece of information you want
to find. You can either point to a cell that has this information or type it
directly into the formula.
lookup_array (where you’re searching): Think of this as the list or table in your
spreadsheet where MATCH is going to look for your item. It’s the area where you
expect to find what you’re searching for.
match_type (how precise you want to be): When you use “0” here, it means you want
an exact match. That tells MATCH you’re looking for something that matches your
lookup value perfectly, without any differences.
NOTE:Here’s something key to remember about MATCH: it looks through either a row or
a column at a time, not both.
