---
title: "MATCH in Google Sheets: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "Returns the position of a value in a row or column. Use 0 as match_type for an exact match. With examples and exercises in Google Sheets."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **MATCH in Google Sheets**

Returns the position of a value in a row or column. Use 0 as match\_type for an exact match.

=

MATCH(

## **In Google Sheets**

MATCH takes the same arguments in Google Sheets. The last one defaults to 1, the nearest smaller value in a sorted range, so write 0 for an exact match.

## **Syntax**

```
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
```

<dl><dt>**lookup_value **</dt>
<dd>The value to find.</dd>
<dt>**lookup_array **</dt>
<dd>A single row or column to search.</dd>
<dt>**match_type **(optional)</dt>
<dd>0 exact match; 1 (default) largest value less than or equal, in ascending data; -1 smallest value greater than or equal, in descending data.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

D1`=MATCH(<sup>1</sup>"Pear",<sup>2</sup>A2:A4,<sup>3</sup>0)`

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

**In plain words:** Find the position of <sup>1</sup>Pear in <sup>2</sup>the fruit list in A2:A4, <sup>3</sup>only on an exact match.

D1=MATCH(5,B2:B4,0)

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

## **Practice MATCH**

- [**1****Find a position with MATCH**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/practice/index-match/match-function)
- [**2****Look up a price with INDEX and MATCH**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/practice/index-match/index-match)
- [**3****Look to the left with INDEX and MATCH**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/practice/index-match/index-match-left-lookup)
- [**4****A two-way lookup with INDEX and two MATCHes**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/practice/index-match/index-match-match-two-way)

## **Related functions**

- [**INDEX**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/functions/index)
- [**XMATCH**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/xmatch)
- [**XLOOKUP**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/sheets/functions/xlookup)

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```

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