Google Sheets INDEX function
Returns the value at a position in a range. With MATCH it makes a lookup in any direction. In Spanish Sheets it is called INDICE.
Syntax
English Sheets
=INDEX(reference, [row], [column])
Spanish Sheets (Mexico locale)
=INDICE(referencia, [fila], [columna])
Spanish Sheets (Spain, Latin America)
=INDICE(referencia; [fila]; [columna])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| reference | The range to take the value from. |
| rowoptional | The row position. |
| columnoptional | The column position. |
Example
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 and work the same in Sheets and every Excel version.
=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
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 and work the same in Sheets and every Excel version.
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 Google Sheets 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 under a Mexico locale).
- Why does INDEX use semicolons in some spreadsheets?
- It depends on each spreadsheet's locale, under File > Settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), arguments are separated by semicolons. Mexico and United States locales use commas.
- What is the most common INDEX mistake?
- Positions count from the start of the range, not from row 1 of the sheet.