INDEX

See Also

Returns a value or the reference to a value from within a table or range. There are two forms of the INDEX() function: array and reference. The array form always returns a value or an array of values; the reference form always returns a reference.

INDEX(array,row_num,column_num) returns the value of a specified cell or array of cells within array.

INDEX(reference,row_num,column_num,area_num) returns a reference to specified cells within reference.

Syntax 1 (array)

Returns the value of an element in a table or an array, selected by the row and column number indexes.

The INDEX function has two syntax forms: array and reference. The array form always returns a value or array of values; the reference form always returns a reference. Use the array form if the first argument to INDEX is an array constant.

Syntax 1

Array form

INDEX(array,row_num,column_num)

Array   is a range of cells or an array constant.

• If array contains only one row or column, the corresponding row_num or column_num argument is optional.

• If array has more than one row and more than one column, and only row_num or column_num is used, INDEX returns an array of the entire row or column in array.

Row_num   selects the row in array from which to return a value. If row_num is omitted, column_num is required.

Column_num   selects the column in array from which to return a value. If column_num is omitted, row_num is required.

Remarks

• If both the row_num and column_num arguments are used, INDEX returns the value in the cell at the intersection of row_num and column_num.
• If you set row_num or column_num to 0 (zero), INDEX returns the array of values for the entire column or row, respectively. To use values returned as an array, enter the INDEX function as an array formula in a horizontal range of cells for a row, and in a vertical range of cells for a column. To enter an array formula, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.

• Row_num and column_num must point to a cell within array; otherwise, INDEX returns the #REF! error value.

Example 1

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.

How?

Example 2

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.

How?

Note   The formula in the example must be entered as an array formula. After copying the example to a blank spreadsheet, select the range A2:A3, starting with the formula cell. Press F2, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER. If the formula is not entered as an array formula, the single result is 2.

Syntax 2 (reference)

Returns the reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column. If the reference is made up of nonadjacent selections, you can pick the selection to look in.

The INDEX function has two syntax forms: array and reference. The array form always returns a value or an array of values; the reference form always returns a reference.

Syntax 2

Reference form

INDEX(reference,row_num,column_num,area_num)

Reference   is a reference to one or more cell ranges.

• If you are entering a nonadjacent range for the reference, enclose reference in parentheses.

• If each area in reference contains only one row or column, the row_num or column_num argument, respectively, is optional. For example, for a single row reference, use INDEX(reference,,column_num).

Row_num   is the number of the row in reference from which to return a reference.

Column_num   is the number of the column in reference from which to return a reference.

Area_num   selects a range in reference from which to return the intersection of row_num and column_num. The first area selected or entered is numbered 1, the second is 2, and so on. If area_num is omitted, INDEX uses area 1.

• For example, if reference describes the cells (A1:B4,D1:E4,G1:H4), then area_num 1 is the range A1:B4, area_num 2 is the range D1:E4, and area_num 3 is the range G1:H4.

Remarks

• After reference and area_num have selected a particular range, row_num and column_num select a particular cell: row_num 1 is the first row in the range, column_num 1 is the first column, and so on. The reference returned by INDEX is the intersection of row_num and column_num.

• If you set row_num or column_num to 0 (zero), INDEX returns the reference for the entire column or row, respectively.

• Row_num, column_num, and area_num must point to a cell within reference; otherwise, INDEX returns the #REF! error value. If row_num and column_num are omitted, INDEX returns the area in reference specified by area_num.
• The result of the INDEX function is a reference and is interpreted as such by other formulas. Depending on the formula, the return value of INDEX may be used as a reference or as a value. For example, the formula CELL("width",INDEX(A1:B2,1,2)) is equivalent to CELL("width",B1). The CELL function uses the return value of INDEX as a cell reference. On the other hand, a formula such as 2*INDEX(A1:B2,1,2) translates the return value of INDEX into the number in cell B1.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.

How?