What is the matching function in Excel and how to use it

You can quickly search for data no matter how complex your spreadsheet is, with this great feature. Here we show you how to do it.

Excel has Really cool set of functions and tools created for simplify work From millions of users around the world. One of the main benefits of this application is the ease of creating databases in a spreadsheet.

Searching and finding information within a database can be a tedious and cumbersome task if you don’t have the necessary shortcuts to make things easier. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the burden significantly by resorting to some functions, such as matching function, Here we will tell you everything you need to know about it.

Matching function, an indispensable tool for any Excel user

The MATCH function allows you to quickly locate any data within the spreadsheet

Saving and displaying actionable information is the primary goal of any of them Database. Microsoft Excel, for example, offers VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP functions to locate data in a large spreadsheet. However, these functions are not flexible enough all the time.

For those times when data seems to get lost within the sheet, There is a matching function. With it, you will be able to locate any type of information in just seconds, without too many worries, even in complex or advanced situations.

How to use the matching function in Excel

If you want to know the row number or column number of a cell value or cell address, you should use MATCH function in Excel. This is especially useful when you need to automate a task, such as locating a value within a spreadsheet.

This job Requires three inputs For cell position: lookup value, range of cells where the value is located, and matching criteria. The possible match types are 0 for an exact match, 1 for a match less than the lookup value, and -1 for more than the lookup value. Here are the steps you will need to follow to start using the feature:

• Open the spreadsheet you want to apply to matching function.
• place equals sign (=) In any cell, type the word synchronization.
• Then press the key Unpaid invoice.
• Now select a cell like Search reference or type any value between quotation marks.
• Choose range of cells for the source data, then type 0 for an exact match, 1 for less than the lookup value, or -1 for data greater than the lookup value, depending on the case-
• Journalism Enters to get the position of the cell.
• The formula could be something like this: = MATCH (C7, C5: C8,0)

What are the benefits of using this function in Excel?

for complex data search tasks, This functionality will be your best ally and will allow you to be more efficient, significantly reducing response times when locating data within an Excel document. In addition, it can offer you other advantages such as:

• data search No restrictions , Left to right or right to left.
• Much easier Delete, insert or update columns
• For large spreadsheets, this formula is a lot faster What are you looking for
• You can get Approximate matches.
• Allows you to create longer formulas Combine it with other functions.
• No need to worry about column or row changes, since Excel adjusts automatically The specified data source. Therefore, you can search more precisely in your spreadsheet.

Whenever you need to search for data from a large array, try to follow the above steps and apply the CONCISE function formula for convenience.