Excel INDEX function
Returns the value at a position in a range. Together with MATCH it makes Excel’s most flexible lookup. In Spanish Excel it is called INDICE.
Syntax
English Excel
=INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=INDICE(matriz, núm_fila, [núm_columna])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=INDICE(matriz; núm_fila; [núm_columna])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| array | The range to take the value from. |
| row_num | The row position. |
| column_numoptional | The column position. |
Example
VLOOKUP only returns columns to the right of the one it searches. MATCH(value, range, 0) tells you the value’s position; INDEX(range, position) returns what is at that position. Together they look up in any direction.
=INDEX(A2:A8,MATCH(F2,C2:C8,0))
Common mistake
Positions count from the start of the range, not from row 1 of the sheet.
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Practice INDEX
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
INDEX + MATCH
VLOOKUP only returns columns to the right of the one it searches. MATCH(value, range, 0) tells you the value’s position; INDEX(range, position) returns what is at that position. Together they look up in any direction.
In F3, find the name of the employee with the ID in F2. The ID is to the right of the name, so VLOOKUP will not work.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name | Role | ID | ||||
| 2 | Marisol Peña | Manager | E-101 | ID | E-105 | ||
| 3 | Fernando Ruiz | Analyst | E-102 | Name | |||
| 4 | Gabriela Soto | Designer | E-103 | ||||
| 5 | Hugo Lara | Accountant | E-104 | ||||
| 6 | Daniela Vega | Developer | E-105 | ||||
| 7 | Óscar Díaz | Sales rep | E-106 | ||||
| 8 | Natalia Cruz | Assistant | E-107 | ||||
| 9 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is INDEX called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is INDICE. The formula =INDEX(A2:A8,MATCH(F2,C2:C8,0)) is written =INDICE(A2:A8;COINCIDIR(F2;C2:C8;0)) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does INDEX use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common INDEX mistake?
- Positions count from the start of the range, not from row 1 of the sheet.