MATCH function in Excel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the MATCH function do in Excel?

The MATCH function finds the position of a value in a range or array. It tells you where the value is located, not the value itself.

beginner

Syntax of the MATCH function?

MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])<br><br>lookup_value: The value to find.<br>lookup_array: The range to search.<br>match_type: Optional; 1 for less than or equal, 0 for exact, -1 for greater than or equal.

intermediate

What does the match_type argument do in MATCH?

It controls how Excel matches the lookup_value:<br>- 1 (default): Finds the largest value less than or equal to lookup_value (requires sorted ascending).<br>- 0: Finds exact match.<br>- -1: Finds smallest value greater than or equal to lookup_value (requires sorted descending).

beginner

What happens if MATCH can’t find the lookup_value?

MATCH returns the #N/A error, meaning it did not find the value in the lookup_array.

intermediate

How can MATCH be used with INDEX?

MATCH finds the position of a value, and INDEX uses that position to return the actual value from a range. Together, they can look up values dynamically.

What does MATCH(A2, B1:B10, 0) do?

A Finds the exact position of A2’s value in B1:B10

B Finds the largest value less than or equal to A2 in B1:B10

C Finds the smallest value greater than or equal to A2 in B1:B10

D Returns the value from B1:B10 matching A2

Using 0 as match_type means MATCH looks for an exact match of A2’s value in B1:B10 and returns its position.

If MATCH returns #N/A, what does it mean?

A The formula syntax is wrong

B The lookup_value was found multiple times

C The lookup_array is empty

D The lookup_value was not found in the lookup_array

#N/A means MATCH did not find the lookup_value in the lookup_array.

Which match_type requires the lookup_array to be sorted ascending?

A 0

B -1

C 1

D Any match_type

match_type 1 requires the lookup_array to be sorted ascending for correct results.

What position does MATCH return if the lookup_value is the first item in the lookup_array?

A 0

B 1

C The value itself

D #N/A

MATCH returns the position as a number starting at 1 for the first item.

How can MATCH help when combined with INDEX?

A To find the position of a value and then get the value at that position

B To sort data automatically

C To sum values in a range

D To count how many times a value appears

MATCH finds the position, and INDEX uses that position to return the value, enabling dynamic lookups.

Explain how the MATCH function works and what each argument means.

Think about how MATCH finds a value’s place in a list.

Describe a real-life example where you would use MATCH in a spreadsheet.

Imagine looking up a student’s rank or a product’s position in a list.