---
title: "SEARCH function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use SEARCH in Excel and Google Sheets: find text regardless of case, with wildcards."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The SEARCH function**

Returns the position of one text inside another, ignoring upper and lower case. Wildcards \* and ? are allowed.

=

SEARCH(

## **Syntax**

```
SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num])
```

<dl><dt>**find_text **</dt>
<dd>The text to look for; may contain * and ?.</dd>
<dt>**within_text **</dt>
<dd>The text to search in.</dd>
<dt>**start_num **(optional)</dt>
<dd>The position to start from. Default 1.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

C1`=SEARCH(<sup>1</sup>"d",<sup>2</sup>A2)`

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **1** |
| 2 | DK-2100 |  | |

**In plain words:** Find the position of <sup>1</sup>d, in upper or lower case, in <sup>2</sup>the code in A2.

C1=SEARCH("2\*0",A2)

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **4** |
| 2 | DK-2100 |  | |

## **Read the guide**

- [**How to clean data in Excel with formulas**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/clean-data-in-excel)
- [**Conditional formatting in Excel: highlight cells and rows with rules and formulas**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/conditional-formatting-excel)

## **Related functions**

- [**FIND**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/find)
- [**SUBSTITUTE**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/substitute)

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