Table of Contents
Summary
The Excel SEARCH function returns a numerical value of the position of a text string within another text string.
This function is useful for determining where a text string exists within another text string, or even if the text exists within the text at all.
The SEARCH function is an Excel text function.
The SEARCH function is very similar to the FIND function, however the FIND function is case sensitive, while the SEARCH function is not.
Function
=SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num])
Arguments (inputs)
find_text = the text string to search for, can be a cell reference or value
within_text = the text string to search within, can be a cell reference or value
start_num = [optional] the position to begin searching for, if omitted the search will begin at the first character
Return value
The SEARCH function returns a numerical value that is the first position of the find_text within the within_text.
This function will return the first instance of the text even if there are multiple instances. If the find_text is not found within the within_text, the SEARCH function will return a #VALUE! error.
Example
In the example above the SEARCH function searches for the text “Bookcase” from cell reference I6 from within the Product Name text in cell D6. The optional argument start_num is left blank so the search will begin at the first character.
=SEARCH(I6, D6)
The result returned is 26, meaning that the term “Bookcase” begins at the 26th position within the product name “Bush Somerset Collection Bookcase”.
