SEARCH Function
Finds the position of text within another text string, case-insensitive.
Syntax
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| find_text | The text to find. Supports wildcards * and ?. | Required |
| within_text | The text to search within. | Required |
| start_num | The character position to start searching from (default 1). | Optional |
Basic Example
Find the position of text regardless of case
=SEARCH("abc", "ABC-123")SEARCH is case-insensitive, so it finds "abc" at position 1.
Advanced Examples
Example 1: Wildcard search
Product codesFind any three-digit number in a code
=SEARCH("???", "ABC-123")How SEARCH Works
SEARCH scans within_text for find_text and returns the position of the first match. It is case-insensitive and allows * and ? wildcards. If not found, it returns #VALUE!.
Important Notes & Limitations
Case-insensitive only; cannot force case-sensitive matching.
Returns #VALUE! if the text is not found.
Wildcard ? matches any single character; * matches any sequence.
Common Errors & Fixes
#VALUE! errorThe text was not found.Fix: Use IFERROR to handle missing text.
Wrong positionWildcards match differently than expected.Fix: Adjust the pattern or use FIND for literal matching.
Download Practice File
SEARCH
searchPractice SEARCH with Real Data
Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the SEARCH function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.
File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps