---
title: "XMATCH function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use XMATCH in Excel 365 and Google Sheets: MATCH with safer defaults."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The XMATCH function**

Returns the position of a value in a range, like MATCH but with exact match as the default and search from the end.

=

XMATCH(

## **Syntax**

```
XMATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_mode], [search_mode])
```

<dl><dt>**lookup_value **</dt>
<dd>The value to find.</dd>
<dt>**lookup_array **</dt>
<dd>The range to search.</dd>
<dt>**match_mode **(optional)</dt>
<dd>0 exact (default), -1 exact or next smaller, 1 exact or next larger, 2 wildcards.</dd>
<dt>**search_mode **(optional)</dt>
<dd>1 first to last (default), -1 last to first.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

D1`=XMATCH(<sup>1</sup>"Plum",<sup>2</sup>A2:A4)`

|  | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Fruit | Price |  | **3** |
| 2 | Apple | 4 |  | |
| 3 | Pear | 6 |  | |
| 4 | Plum | 5 |  | |

**In plain words:** Find the position of <sup>1</sup>Plum in <sup>2</sup>the fruit list in A2:A4.

D1=XMATCH(6,B2:B4)

|  | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Fruit | Price |  | **2** |
| 2 | Apple | 4 |  | |
| 3 | Pear | 6 |  | |
| 4 | Plum | 5 |  | |

## **Read the guide**

- [**VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP vs INDEX MATCH: which lookup to use**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/vlookup-vs-xlookup-vs-index-match)

## **Related functions**

- [**MATCH**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/match)
- [**XLOOKUP**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/xlookup)
- [**INDEX**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/index)

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