Match Function - Excel

1/14/2018 How to use the Excel MATCH function | Exceljet
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Excel MATCH Function
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Summary
MATCH is an Excel function used to locate the position of a lookup value in a row, column, or table. MATCH supports
approximate and exact matching, and wildcards (* ?) for partial matches. Often, the INDEX function is combined with
MATCH to retrieve the value at the position returned by MATCH.
Purpose
Get the position of an item in an array
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Return value
A number representing a position in lookup_array.
Syntax
=MATCH (lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
Arguments
lookup_value - The value to match in lookup_array.
lookup_array - A range of cells or an array reference.
match_type - [optional] How to match, speci ed as -1, 0, or 1. Default is 1.
Usage notes
Use the MATCH function to get the relative position of an item in an array. Match offers several different matching
modes, which makes it more exible than other lookup functions. Used together with INDEX, MATCH can retrieve the
value at the matched position.
Match type information
If match_type is 1, MATCH nds the largest value that is less than or equal to lookup_value. The
lookup_array must be sorted in ascending order.
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If match_type is 0, MATCH nds the rst value exactly equal to lookup_value. lookup_array does not need to
be sorted.
If match_type is -1, MATCH nds the smallest value that is greater than or equal to lookup_value. The
lookup_array must be sorted in descending order.
If match_type is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.
Note: All match types will nd an exact match.
Notes:
Match is not case-sensitive.
Match returns the #N/A error if no match is found.
The argument lookup_array must be placed in descending order: TRUE, FALSE, Z-A,...2, 1, 0, -1, -2,..., and so
on.
If match_type is 0 and lookup_value is text, the wildcard characters question mark (?) and asterisk (*) can be
used in lookup_value.
If match_type is 0 and lookup_value is text, lookup_value can contain the wildcard characters asterisk (*)
and question mark (?). An asterisk matches any sequence of characters; a question mark matches any single
character.
MATCH formula examples
Multi-criteria
338 lookup and transpose
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To perform a multi-criteria lookup and transpose results into a table, you can use an
array formula based on INDEX and MATCH. In the example shown, the formula in G5
is: {=INDEX(amount,MATCH(1,($F5=location)*(G$4=...
Basic INDEX MATCH approximate

This example shows how to use INDEX and MATCH to retrieve a grade from a table
based a given score. This requires an "approximate match", since it is unlikely that
the actual score exists in the table. The formula in...
Get rst entry by month and year

To lookup the rst entry in a table by month and year, you can use and array formula
based on the INDEX, MATCH, and TEXT functions. the LOOKUP function with the
TEXT function. In the example shown, the formula in F5...
INDEX and MATCH with multiple criteria

To lookup values with INDEX and MATCH, using multiple criteria, you can use an
array formula. In the example shown, the formula in H8 is:
{=INDEX(E5:E11,MATCH(1,(H5=B5:B11)*(H6=C5:C11)*(H7=D5:D11),0))} This is an...
338multiple criteria with NOT logic

Count
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To count with multiple criteria, including logic for NOT one of several things, you can
use the SUMPRODUCT function together with the MATCH and ISNA functions. In the
example shown, the formula in G8 is: =SUMPRODUCT...
Lookup entire row

To lookup and retrieve an entire row, you use the INDEX and MATCH functions. In
the example shown, the formula used to look up all values for the Central region is:
=INDEX(C5:F8,MATCH(H5,B5:B8,0),0) How this formula...
Count unique text values with criteria

To count unique values in a range with a criteria, you can use an array formula based
on the FREQUENCY function. Assume you have a list of employee names together
with hours worked on "Project X", and you want know how...
List most frequently occuring numbers

To list the most frequently occurring numbers in a column (i.e. most common,
second most common, third most common, etc), you can an array formula based on
four Excel functions, IF, MODE, MATCH, and ISNUMBER. In the...
338 match against numbers with wildcard

Partial
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To perform a partial match (a substring match) against numbers, you can use an
array formula based on MATCH and TEXT. Background Excel supports the wildcard
characters "*" and "?". However, if you use wildcards with a...
Basic INDEX MATCH exact

This example shows how to use INDEX and MATCH to get information from a table
based on an exact match. In the example shown, the formula in cell H6 is:
=INDEX(B5:E9,MATCH(H4,B5:B9,FALSE),2) which returns 1995, the...
Count unique text values in a range

If you need to count unique text values in a range, you can use a formula that uses
several functions: FREQUENCY , MATCH, ROW and SUMPRODUCT. It's also possible
to use COUNTIF, as explained below. Assume you have a...
Hyperlink to rst blank cell

To create hyperlinks to the rst match in a lookup, you can use a formula based on
the HYPERLINK function, with help from CELL, INDEX and MATCH. In the example
shown, the formula in C5 is: =HYPERLINK("#"...
Get338
rst non-blank value in a list
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If you need to get the rst non-blank value (text or number) in a in a one-column
range you can use an array formula based on the INDEX, MATCH, and ISBLANK
functions. In the example the formula we're using is:...
Approximate match with multiple criteria

To lookup and approximate match based on more than one criteria, you can use an
array formula based on INDEX and MATCH, with help from the IF function. In the
example shown, the formula in G8 is: {=INDEX(D5:D10,MATCH...
Range contains a value not in another range

To test if a range contains any values (i.e. at least one value) not in another range,
you can use the SUMPRODUCT function with MATCH and ISNA. In the example
shown, the formula in F6 is: =SUMPRODUCT(--(ISNA(MATCH(...
Related videos
How to do a two-way lookup with INDEX and MATCH

In this video, we use use MATCH to nd the position of an item in a table, and we use INDEX to retrieve the value at
that position. We work step-by-step so you can see how both functions work.
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How to highlight approximate match lookups

In this video we show how to highlight approximate match lookups with conditional
formatting and the LOOKUP function. Highlighting approximate matches is tricky,
because you must replicate the original approximate match in the CF rule.
How to look things up with INDEX

In this video, we look at how to con gure INDEX to fetch a value by row and column.
This is half of the INDEX/MATCH equation.
How to use the MATCH Function for exact matches

In this video, we look at how the MATCH function can nd the position of an item in a
list. Once you have a position, you can use it to get related values with INDEX.
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Two-way lookup with INDEX and MATCH approximate

In this video, we'll look at how to build a two-way lookup with INDEX and MATCH,
using approximate matching. This is a classic solution for non-exact lookups like
income tax, shipping costs, material costs, etc.
Related functions
Excel INDEX Function
The Excel INDEX function returns the value at a given position in a range or array.
You can use index to retrieve individual values or entire rows and columns. INDEX is
often used with the MATCH function, where MATCH locates and feeds a position to...
Excel VLOOKUP Function

VLOOKUP is an Excel function to lookup and retrieve data from a speci c column in
table. VLOOKUP supports approximate and exact matching, and wildcards (* ?) for
partial matches. The "V" stands for "vertical". Lookup values must appear in the...
Excel LOOKUP Function

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The Excel LOOKUP function performs an approximate match lookup in a one-column

or one-row range, and returns the corresponding value from another one-column or
one-row range. LOOKUP's default behavior makes it useful for solving certain
problems...
Excel Formula Training

Formulas are the key to getting work done in Excel. In this step-
by-step training, you'll learn how to use formulas to manipulate
text, work with dates and times, lookup values with VLOOKUP
and INDEX & MATCH, count and sum with criteria, dynamically
rank values, and create dynamic ranges. You'll also learn how to
troubleshoot, trace errors, and x problems. Start building
valuable skills with Excel formulas today. Learn more.
500 Formula Examples, thoughtfully explained.
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Topic Guide
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Formula Examples
Excel Shortcuts
Pivot Tables
INDEX and MATCH
338 Excel Charts
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Conditional Formatting
Custom Number Formats
Data Validation
Nested IF examples
How-to videos
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Excel people
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Recent comments
Key functions
IF function
VLOOKUP function
SUMIFS function
COUNTIFS function
INDEX function
MATCH function
SUMPRODUCT function
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Match Function - Excel

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Match Function - Excel

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1/14/2018 How to use the Excel MATCH function | Exceljet

Quick, clean, and to the point

Excel MATCH Function

lookup_array - A range of cells or an array reference.

match_type - [optional] How to match, speci ed as -1, 0, or 1. Default is 1.

Match type information

If match_type is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.

Note: All match types will nd an exact match.

Match is not case-sensitive.

Match returns the #N/A error if no match is found.

MATCH formula examples

Basic INDEX MATCH approximate

Get rst entry by month and year

INDEX and MATCH with multiple criteria

338multiple criteria with NOT logic

Lookup entire row

Count unique text values with criteria

List most frequently occuring numbers

338 match against numbers with wildcard

Basic INDEX MATCH exact

Count unique text values in a range

Hyperlink to rst blank cell

Approximate match with multiple criteria

Range contains a value not in another range

How to do a two-way lookup with INDEX and MATCH

How to highlight approximate match lookups

How to look things up with INDEX

How to use the MATCH Function for exact matches

Two-way lookup with INDEX and MATCH approximate

Excel VLOOKUP Function

Excel LOOKUP Function

The Excel LOOKUP function performs an approximate match lookup in a one-column

Excel Formula Training

500 Formula Examples, thoughtfully explained.

Download 200+ Excel Shortcuts

email address Get the PDF

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