When working with spreadsheets, it is often necessary to find and retrieve values from a particular cell based on specific criteria. Excel provides a powerful function called MATCH that allows you to search for a value in a range and return its relative position. However, what if you want to retrieve not only the matched value but also the value in an adjacent cell? In this article, we will discuss an efficient approach to using the MATCH function to find an adjacent cell value in Excel.
The MATCH function: Finding values in a range
Before we dive into finding an adjacent cell value using the MATCH function, let’s briefly go over how the function works to find a value in a given range. The MATCH function in Excel helps you locate the position of a lookup value within a specified range of cells. Its syntax is as follows:
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
The lookup_value is the value you want to find, the lookup_array is the range of cells where you want to search, and the match_type (optional) specifies the type of match you are looking for.
By default, if you omit the match_type argument, Excel assumes it to be 1, which indicates an approximate match. However, in most cases, a value can be found using an exact match, so we will focus on the exact match scenario.
Finding an adjacent cell value using the MATCH function
Now that we understand how the MATCH function works, let’s look at how we can use it to return an adjacent cell value. To do this, we need to combine the MATCH function with another function called INDEX. The INDEX function allows us to retrieve the value at a specific row and column within a given range. Below is an example of how the two functions can be used together:
=INDEX(range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, 0), column)
In this formula, the range is the range of cells where the value you want to retrieve is located. The lookup_value and lookup_array remain the same as in the MATCH function, but we use “0” as the match_type argument to indicate an exact match. The column argument specifies the column index within the range from which you want to retrieve the adjacent value.
By using this combined formula, you can now easily find the adjacent cell value based on a specific criterion.
How to have Match find an adjacent cell value?
To have the MATCH function find an adjacent cell value, you can use the INDEX function in conjunction with it. The formula would look like this:
=INDEX(range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, 0), column)
By replacing “range” with the desired range of cells, “lookup_value” with the value you want to search for, “lookup_array” with the range where you want to search, and “column” with the column index of the adjacent cell you want to retrieve, you can accurately find the adjacent value.
Related FAQs:
1. How does the MATCH function work in Excel?
The MATCH function locates the position of a specified value within a range of cells.
2. Can the MATCH function be used for approximate matches?
Yes, by using a match_type argument of 1, the MATCH function can perform approximate matches.
3. What is the purpose of the INDEX function?
The INDEX function is used to retrieve a value at a specified position within a range.
4. Is the match_type argument mandatory in the MATCH function?
No, if you omit the match_type argument, Excel assumes an approximate match by default (match_type = 1).
5. How can I return the adjacent cell value in Excel?
You can use the INDEX function in combination with the MATCH function to retrieve the adjacent cell value in Excel.
6. Can the MATCH function return multiple values?
No, the MATCH function only returns the position of the first occurrence of the matched value.
7. What should I do if the lookup value is not found using the MATCH function?
If the lookup value is not found, the MATCH function returns an error value (#N/A).
8. Can I use the MATCH function to search in multiple sheets?
Yes, you can use the MATCH function to search in multiple sheets by specifying the range across the sheets.
9. Can I use the MATCH function with wildcards?
No, the MATCH function does not support wildcards. For wildcard searches, you can use other functions like COUNTIF or VLOOKUP.
10. Can INDEX retrieve values from multiple columns?
Yes, the INDEX function can retrieve values from multiple columns by specifying a range that covers all the desired columns.
11. What happens if I use a match_type argument other than 0 or 1?
Using a match_type argument other than 0 or 1 will result in an error. Only 0 or 1 are valid match_type arguments for exact and approximate matches, respectively.
12. Can the MATCH function be case-sensitive?
No, by default, the MATCH function is not case-sensitive. To perform a case-sensitive match, you can use the EXACT function in combination with MATCH.
Using the MATCH function in combination with the INDEX function opens up a world of possibilities for retrieving adjacent cell values based on specific criteria. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enhance your spreadsheet analysis and streamline your data retrieval process in Excel.