Excel - FINDB Function



FINDB Function

The Excel FINDB function inspects a text string with another string and retrieves a numeric value representing the starting index of a searched text string. It works smoothly with languages where the DBCS set characters are constantly used. Additionally, this function is case-sensitive. The FINDB function can combine with Excel functions like IFERROR, MID, IF, SEARCHb, and many more to evaluate complex expressions.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS-Excel −

  • Excel for Microsoft 365
  • Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
  • Excel for the web
  • Excel 2024
  • Excel 2024 for Mac
  • Excel 2021
  • Excel 2021 for Mac
  • Excel 2019
  • Excel 2016

Syntax

The syntax of the FINDB function is as follows −

=FINDB(find_text, within_text, [start_num])

Arguments

You can utilize the following arguments with the FINDB function −

Argument Description Required / Optional
find_text It specifies the string/character that you wish to search. Required
within_text It indicates the text where the other string defined in the first argument needs to be searched. Required
start_num It specifies the character position from where the search is being started in the within_text. Optional

Points to Remember

  • If the wild characters are specified in the find_text, the FINDB function will retrieve the #VALUE! Error.
  • If the find_text, is not found in the within_text, then the FINDB function will return the #VALUE! Error.
  • Like the Find function, the FINDB function is also case-sensitive.
  • If start_num<1, the FINDB function will return the #VALUE error.
  • The start_num argument value is larger than the "within_text" value then the FINDB function will retrieve the #VALUE error.

Examples of FINDB Function

Practice the following examples to learn the use of the FINDB function in Excel.

Example 1

You may enter the formula "=FINDB(B3,C3,1)" in the C4 cell. In this formula, you intend to search the B3 cell value in the C3 cell value. The third argument specifies position 1, meaning you must start searching from the first position.

FINDB Function

Then hit the "Enter" button to get the result.

FINDB Function 1

Note: Multiple F characters are found in the text string specified in the C4 cell. However, either the FINDB function always default retrieves the character's position from index one or, depending on the start_num value.

Now, In the C3, cell, set the third argument to 4 in the FINDB function "=FINDB(B3,C3,4)". In this scenario, the F characters' search will start with the fourth character in the C3 cell.

FINDB Function 2

Therefore, the FINDB function will give the result of 6, representing the position of the F character.

FINDB Function 3

Example 2

If the wild characters are specified in the find_text, the FINDB function will retrieve the #VALUE! Error.

Solution

You may enter the formula "=FINDB(B3,C3,4)" in the C4 cell and press the Enter.

FINDB Function 4

Therefore, the FINDB function will retrieve the #VALUE! Error as a wildcard is specified in the B3 cell, which is not allowable.

Example 3

If the "find_text," is not found in the "within_text," then the FINDB function will return the #VALUE! Error.

Solution

You may enter the formula "=FINDB(B3,C3,1)" in the C4 cell and press the Enter tab.

FINDB Function 5

Therefore, the FINDB function will return the #VALUE! Error as the Z character is not found in the text string defined in the C3 cell.

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Example 4

Either the start_num<1 or the "start_num" value is larger than the within_texts length, then in both cases, the FINDB function will retrieve the #VALUE error.

Solution

Case 1 − Enter the formula "=FINDB(B3,C3,-5)" in the C4 cell and press the Enter tab. The third argument, start_num, contains the negative value that is -5.

FINDB Function 7

Hence, the FINDB function will get the #VALUE! error.

Case 2 − Enter the formula "=FINDB(B3,C3,9)" in the C4 cell. Here, the third argument, 9, is larger than the length of the C3 cell as the position of the U character is 7.

FINDB Function 8
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