Excel MATCH function
Returns the position of a value within a row or column. In Spanish Excel it is called COINCIDIR.
Syntax
English Excel
=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=COINCIDIR(valor_buscado, matriz_buscada, [tipo_de_coincidencia])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=COINCIDIR(valor_buscado; matriz_buscada; [tipo_de_coincidencia])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| lookup_value | What you look for. |
| lookup_array | The row or column to search. |
| match_typeoptional | 0 for an exact match. |
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
Without the final 0 it matches approximately and needs sorted data. You almost always want the 0.
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Practice MATCH
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 MATCH called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is COINCIDIR. 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 MATCH 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 MATCH mistake?
- Without the final 0 it matches approximately and needs sorted data. You almost always want the 0.