Excel MATCH Function | Formula Examples + FREE Video

Excel MATCH Function (Example + Video)

Excel MATCH Function

When to use Excel MATCH Function

Excel MATCH function can be used when you want to get the relative position of a lookup value in a list or an array.

What it Returns

It returns a number that represents the position of the lookup value.

Syntax

=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])

Input Arguments

  • lookup_value – The value for which you are looking for a match in the lookup_array.
  • lookup_array – The range of cells in which you are searching the lookup_value.
  • [match_type] – (Optional) This specifies how excel should look for a matching value. It can take three values -1, 0 , or 1 (read additional notes below for more info).

Additional Notes

  • Most widely used in conjunction with INDEX function.
  • Wildcard characters can be used when lookup value is a text string.
  • Match is not case-sensitive.
  • Match returns the #N/A error if no match is found.
  • Match type (match_type) specifies how excel matches the item in a list.
    • When Match Type is 0
      • This is the exact match criteria. It returns the first exact match position (or an error if there is no match).
    • When Match Type is 1 (default)
      • The data must be sorted in the ascending order for this option. It returns the largest value equal to or less than the lookup value.
    • When Match Type is -1
      • The data must be sorted in the descending order for this option. It returns the smallest value equal to or greater than the lookup value.

Excel MATCH Function – Live Example

Excel MATCH Function – Video Tutorial

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Sumit Bansal
Hello there! I'm Sumit Bansal, founder of trumpexcel.com and an Excel MVP. I started this website in 2013 with a simple goal: to share my love for Excel through easy to follow tips, tutorials and videos. I'm here to help you get the best out of MS Excel to save time and boost your productivity.

1 thought on “Excel MATCH Function | Formula Examples + FREE Video”

  1. I am looking for an excel formula to find and match a list (column A) of SKU numbers example AA/SC/12647 to a list (Column K) of images with label as example img_12646.jpg. In essence, I want to marry or match the images to the sku numbers.
    Can anyone help?

    Reply

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