Imagine a world where you can effortlessly target and extract data from a table in your Google Sheets, adapting to changes with ease. Well, with INDEX MATCH, that world becomes a reality! In this article, we’ll explore how to use the powerful combination of INDEX and MATCH functions in Google Sheets, revolutionizing the way you work with your spreadsheets.
Can You Use INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets?
Absolutely! INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets combines the functionalities of the INDEX and MATCH functions, allowing you to precisely target and extract data from a table. Unlike traditional methods, this dynamic duo adapts to changes in your data, making it a versatile solution for different situations.
Using the INDEX Function in Google Sheets
Let’s start with the basics. The INDEX function itself is quite straightforward. It returns the value of a specific cell based on its row and column numbers. Its syntax looks like this:
=INDEX(reference, row, column)Where:
- reference is the range of data where the cell is located (excluding headers)
- row is the row number in the table where the cell is located
- column is the column number in the table where the cell is located
For example, to return Jim Halbert’s salary, we would use the following syntax: =INDEX(B9:E21, 4, 3). This returns Jim Halbert’s salary value. However, as you can see, it’s quite an inefficient function on its own, as it’s manual and doesn’t allow us to return values for different key sets. That’s where the MATCH function comes to the rescue!
Using the MATCH Function in Google Sheets
The MATCH function returns the position of a specific key in a range of data. Its syntax is as follows:
=MATCH(search_key, range, search_type)Where:
- search_key is the value to search for
- range is the one-dimensional array to search within
- search_type determines an approximate or exact match (enter 0 for an exact match)
In the following example, the syntax =MATCH(J9, B9:B21, 0) returns the position of the value “Jim Halbert” in the employee names table. Jim Halbert occupies position number 4 in the selected table.
This means that if we combine INDEX and MATCH, we can automatically return the value for each employee as it’s entered into the selector. Let’s see how.
Using INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets
By combining INDEX and MATCH, you can effortlessly return the value of a cell from a table based on the position of a defined argument. The following syntax allows us to return the salary of the selected employee in cell H14:
=INDEX(B9:E21, MATCH(H14, B9:B21, 0), 3)VLOOKUP vs INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets
(Verify our comprehensive guide on VLOOKUPS and XLOOKUPS.)
VLOOKUP and INDEX MATCH share a common goal of returning a specific value in a table based on an argument. It’s hard to define a “superior solution” as it ultimately depends on personal preferences, choices, and the datasets you’re working with. Personally, I’m a big fan of LOOKUPs, especially XLOOKUPs these days. However, when dealing with large datasets in shared spreadsheets with multiple users, I prefer using INDEX MATCH. It makes formulas more robust and reliable, giving me an extra sense of data security when others are using my tables. Overall, there’s no clear winner – it all depends on your preferences and comfort level.
Using INDEX MATCH Between Sheets
Using INDEX MATCH between different sheets is quite simple. After declaring the INDEX or MATCH function, you just need to declare the arguments for the table. To do this, simply select the table from which you need to retrieve the data, even when navigating to a different sheet. This way, you can INDEX MATCH data across different tabs within a spreadsheet or even across different sheets.
Conclusion
The combination of INDEX and MATCH functions allows you to retrieve data from a specific table based on a matching key. It’s a powerful combination that provides a solid alternative to VLOOKUPS. INDEX MATCH can be particularly useful when working with large datasets, especially in shared spreadsheets. Use it when you need to ensure data searches are done according to specific criteria. So go ahead and try out INDEX MATCH in Google Sheets to unlock a whole new world of spreadsheet magic!
For more informative articles like this, head over to Crawlan.com for all your Google Sheets tips and tricks!
