INDEX function

Excel INDEX Function is a powerful tool that helps you retrieve values from a table or range in your spreadsheet. It’s like finding a specific item in a huge store by knowing its coordinates – row and column.

Syntax

The syntax for the INDEX function is:

INDEX(array, [row_num], [column_num])

Arguments

arrayThis is the range or array from which you want to retrieve data.
[row_num](Optional) This is the row number from which you want to fetch data. If omitted, the function returns the entire column specified by column_num.
[column_num](Optional) This is the column number from which you want to fetch data. If omitted, the function returns the entire row specified by row_num.

How to use

The INDEX function is used to extract data from a specified cell within a table or range. Let’s look at a few examples to understand how to use it:

Example 1: Retrieving a specific cell value

This formula retrieves the value from the cell at the second row and third column within the range A1:D4.

Example 2: Retrieving an entire row or column

This formula retrieves the entire third row from the range A1:D4. If you want an entire column, just swap the arguments like this: =INDEX(A1:D4, , 2).

Example 3: Dynamic data extraction

This formula retrieves the value where “Apples” and “Oranges” intersect in a table. It uses the MATCH function to find the row and column numbers dynamically.

The INDEX function is handy for various tasks, such as building dynamic dashboards, lookup tables, and more. It’s a valuable tool to have in your Excel toolkit.

Tomasz Decker is an Excel specialist, skilled in data analysis and financial modeling.