Excel - FIND Function



FIND Function

Excel Text functions are enriched with various problem-solving text-manipulated functions. Among these functions, one hidden function is the FIND function. The Excel FIND function returns the specific position of the searched characters/substring in a different input text string. The FINDB function is similar to the FIND function as it works efficiently with DBCS set characters.

Compatibility

This eminent FIND 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 FIND function is as follows −

FIND(find_text, within_text, [start_num])

Arguments

You can utilize the following arguments with the FIND function −

Argument Description Required / Optional
find_text It indicates the subpart of the string that would be searched in the with_text argument. Required
within_text It specifies another text string where the substring defined in the find_text is being searched. Required
start_num Representing the character position where the search begins in the "within_text". Optional

Points To Remember

  • If the wild characters are defined in the find_text, the FIND function will retrieve the #VALUE! Error.
  • If the characters/substring is not found in the input string, then the FIND function returns the #VALUE! Error.
  • If the find_text contains an empty string, the FIND function will return 1, representing the input string's starting position.
  • The case difference is strictly considered in the FIND function.
  • If the start_num is nonpositive, the FIND function will retrieve the #VALUE! error.
  • If "start_num" > "within_text" arguments, then the FIND function will retrieve the #VALUE! error.
  • For the advancement, you can use wild characters in the SEARCH/SEARCH function.

Examples of FIND Function

Let's elaborate with a few fantastic examples of the FIND function to practice on an Excel worksheet.

Example 1

The FIND function is used to locate the position of a substring (text) within a larger string.

Solution

Step 1 − Assume the sample dataset comprises three columns titled "Input String", "Substring" and "Formula".

First, write the formula =FIND(B3,A3) in the C3 cell. In this formula, the character "s" will be searched in the input text "Intense fog".

Write Formula FIND in C3 Cell

After that, press the Enter tab to get the index postion.

Press Enter Tab to Get Index Postion

Step 2 − Moreover, select the C4 cell and enter the formula =FIND(B4, A4, 5). In this formula, the e-character (B4) starts at the 5th position in the input text "Stock share".

Enter Formula FIND in C4 Cell

After that, hit the Enter tab. Therefore, the index position of the e character is 11, extracted by the FIND function.

Index Position of e Character is 11

Step 3 − Afterward, double-click on the C5 cell, type the =FIND(B5,A5) formula, and press the Enter tab. In this formula, the B5 cell points to the substring "tycoon", which will be searched in the A5 cell refers to the "Business tycoon".

Double-click on The C5 Cell

Therefore, the FIND function will return the 10 as a result.

FIND Function Will Return The 10

Example 2

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

Solution

You may write the formula =FIND("?a", "Anamika") in the B2 cell and press the Enter tab.

Write Formula FIND in B2 Cell

Hence, the FIND function will retrieve the #VALUE! Error as wild characters are not allowed in the first argument.

Example 3

If the find_text contains an empty string, the FIND function will return 1, representing the input string's starting position.

Solution

Let's say you enter the formula =FIND(" ", "Intense Fog") in the B2 cell and hit the Enter tab. In the formula, the find_text argument contains a null value.

Fint Text Argument Contains Null Value

Hence, the FIND function returns a result of 1.

FIND function returns a result of 1

Example 4

Either the start_num is nonpositive or if "start_num" is larger than the length of "within_text" arguments, then in these scenarios, the FIND function will retrieve the #VALUE! error.

Case 1 − You can write the formula =FIND(-12, "Page Layout") in the C2 cell. In this expression, the first argument contains the negative value.

First Argument Contains Negative Value

After pressing the Enter tab, the FIND function will give you the #VALUE! error.

FIND Function Will give #VALUE! error

To ensure the successful execution of the FIND function, you can modify the negative value to a positive number in the FIND_TEXT.

Case 2 − Let's suppose that you write the formula =FIND("g","Page Layout",40) in the C4 cell and hit the Enter tab.

Case 2 of Example 2

Therefore, the FIND function will get the #VALUE! Error as a value of the start_num is greater than the total length of the within_text.

Total Length of Within Text

Download Practice Sheet

You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the FIND function.

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