Syntax
=SEARCH(search_for, text_to_search, [starting_at])
search_for- The text to look for.
text_to_search- The text to search in.
starting_at- Optional. Position to start from.
SEARCH function in Google Sheets
SEARCH finds the position of text inside other text, ignoring upper and lower case. Wrapped in ISNUMBER, it's the standard "does this cell contain…?" test.
Practice SEARCH
Task 1 of 2
The word "error" appears in each log line, with inconsistent capitalization. Find its position in A2, ignoring case. Answer in B2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
SEARCH examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw name | SKU | Note |
| 2 | maya PATEL | ELC-0427-NY | Refund requested |
| 3 | leo rossi | FUR-1180-TX | Shipped |
| 4 | AVA KIM | OFC-0093-CA | Refund issued |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=SEARCH("refund", C2) | 1 | Found despite the capital R. |
=SEARCH("issued", C4) | 8 | Position of a later word. |
=SEARCH("refund", C3) | #VALUE! | Not present returns #VALUE!. |
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("refund", C3)) | FALSE | The safe TRUE/FALSE version. |
Tips and common mistakes
- FIND is the case-sensitive twin.
Related functions
Learning step by step? SEARCH is covered in Lesson 28: FIND & SEARCH of the free course.