FIND vs SEARCH
Both return the position of a text inside another. FIND is case-sensitive; SEARCH is not and accepts wildcards.
| FIND | SEARCH | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper and lower case | Tells them apart | Ignores them |
| Wildcards * and ? | No | Yes |
| If not found | #VALUE! | #VALUE! |
Syntax and example
FIND
=FIND(find_text, within_text, [start_num])
=MID(A2,SEARCH("@",A2)+1,100)
Returns the position where some text appears within another. With LEFT and MID it splits text.
SEARCH
=SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num])
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2,A2))
Like FIND, but case-insensitive and with wildcards.
Which one to use?
To ask whether a cell contains a word, SEARCH inside ISNUMBER. FIND when case matters, as with codes.
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Practice it
Solve the exercise on the sheet; it is checked instantly. See all lessons · Formula translator
SEARCH: an email’s domain
SEARCH is like FIND, but it ignores case and accepts * and ? wildcards. Use it when you do not know how the text is written.
In B2, extract the email’s domain: what comes after the @.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Domain | ||
| 2 | ana.ruiz@gmail.com | ||
| 3 | luis@empresa.mx | ||
| 4 | sofi_92@outlook.com | ||
| 5 | dgarcia@unam.mx | ||
| 6 | vale@yahoo.com | ||
| 7 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between FIND and SEARCH?
- Both return the position of a text inside another. FIND is case-sensitive; SEARCH is not and accepts wildcards.
- When should I use FIND or SEARCH?
- To ask whether a cell contains a word, SEARCH inside ISNUMBER. FIND when case matters, as with codes.