SEARCH function in Excel

Syntax

=SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num])

Example

=SEARCH("shirt","BLUE SHIRT") returns 6. =ISNUMBER(SEARCH("shirt",A2)) is TRUE or FALSE.

From the lesson SEARCH Function.

Common mistakes

• Using FIND when the capitalisation is inconsistent.
• Forgetting that a missing match gives #VALUE!, so test with ISNUMBER.

Related text functions

• LENReturns the number of characters.
• LEFTReturns characters from the start of the text.
• RIGHTReturns characters from the end of the text.
• MIDReturns characters from the middle of the text.
• FINDCase-sensitive position of text within text.
• CONCATJoins text from cells and ranges.
• CONCATENATEJoins text items (legacy).
• TEXTJOINJoins text with a delimiter.