Excel MATCH Function

MATCH searches a one-dimensional range and returns the position of the matched item.

Use it when you need a lookup value's position so another formula can pull corresponding data from the same relative position in a related row or column.

Choose a lookup value The item to locate

Search one row or column MATCH checks the lookup array

Return a position The first item is position 1

MATCH syntax & arguments

Syntax

=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])

Required Optional

1

lookup_value
Required

The value to find in the lookup array. It can be text, a number, a cell reference, or another formula result.
2

lookup_array
Required

The single row or single column where Excel should search for lookup_value.
3
match_type
Optional

Controls how Excel matches the lookup value:
- 0 — Exact match: Returns the position only when MATCH finds the lookup value exactly.
- 1 — Less than: Returns the largest value less than or equal to the lookup value. This is the default and requires ascending sort order.
- -1 — Greater than: Returns the smallest value greater than or equal to the lookup value and requires descending sort order.

Example

=MATCH("West", A2:A20, 0)

Return the position of the exact match for "West" within A2:A20.

MATCH caveats

MATCH is powerful because it returns positions, but its default match behavior is easy to overlook.

It returns a position, not a value

MATCH tells you where the item was found. Pair it with another function when you need to return related data.
Exact match is not the default

If match_type is omitted, Excel uses 1, which is an approximate match mode.
Approximate modes require sorted data

Use ascending sort order for 1 and descending sort order for -1. Unsorted data can produce incorrect positions.
The lookup array must be one-dimensional

MATCH searches a single row or a single column. It is not designed to scan a full two-dimensional table by itself.

Need related data from the same position? Combine MATCH with INDEX when the lookup value's position should drive which row or column INDEX returns.