Excel SEARCH Function
SEARCH returns the character position where one text value first appears inside another text value, ignoring capitalization.
Use it to find words, codes, delimiters, or wildcard patterns before extracting, validating, or categorizing text with other formulas.
SEARCH syntax & arguments
Syntax
=SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num])
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1
find_text
RequiredThe text to find inside another text value. SEARCH is not case-sensitive and can use wildcards.
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2
within_text
RequiredThe text to search within. This can be typed text, a cell reference, or the result of another formula.
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3
start_num
OptionalThe character position where Excel should begin searching. If omitted, SEARCH starts at the first character.
Example
=SEARCH("id", A2)
Return the position where id first appears in A2, ignoring capitalization.
SEARCH caveats
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SEARCH is not case-sensitive
"ID","Id", and"id"are treated the same. Use FIND when capitalization should matter. -
Wildcards are supported
?matches one character and*matches any sequence of characters. Use~?or~*when those characters should be literal. -
Missing text returns an error
If
find_textdoes not appear inwithin_text, SEARCH returns a#VALUE!error. -
The first character is position 1 not 0
start_numcounts from 1. A value below 1 or beyond the text length returns a#VALUE!error.
Checking whether text exists? Wrap SEARCH in ISNUMBER, such as =ISNUMBER(SEARCH("rush", A2)).
Intro SEARCH practice problem
Solve the intro problem directly here, or open it on its own page.
Advanced SEARCH practice problems
Use SEARCH alongside other Excel functions in realistic, less-prescriptive challenges.
