Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
INDEX MATCH Formula
Use INDEX and MATCH together for flexible lookups in Excel and Google Sheets.
Quick Answer
INDEX MATCH is a flexible lookup pattern that works in both Excel and Google Sheets and can look left or right.
Copyable Formula
=INDEX(C2:C8,MATCH(E2,A2:A8,0))Syntax
=INDEX(return_range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, 0))Excel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| A | C | E |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | Price | Lookup SKU |
| A-101 | $49 | A-103 |
| A-102 | $25 | |
| A-103 | $210 |
Result: MATCH finds the row position of A-103, then INDEX returns the price from that same position.
Steps
- Use MATCH to find the row number inside the lookup range.
- Use INDEX to return the value at that same position from the return range.
- Use 0 in MATCH for exact match.
Common Mistakes
- Pointing INDEX and MATCH at ranges with different lengths.
- Forgetting the 0 match type for exact match.
- Making the formula harder to read than XLOOKUP when XLOOKUP is available.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
The core idea works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but separators, function availability, and array behavior can vary by account, locale, and version.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.