# How to find the position of a value in a list in Excel

Use `=MATCH(E1,A2:A11,0)`. It returns where the value sits in the range (1 for the first cell), and #N/A if it isn't there.

**Excel:** `=MATCH(E1,A2:A11,0)` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Runner | Club |  | Runner | Maya Ortiz |
| Sam Hollis | Lakeside RC |  | Finish place |  |
| Dana Brooks | Northside Striders |  |  |  |
| Eli Fischer | Lakeside RC |  |  |  |
| Maya Ortiz | City Harriers |  |  |  |
| Jon Park | Northside Striders |  |  |  |
| Ava Reyes | City Harriers |  |  |  |
| Noah Grant | Lakeside RC |  |  |  |
| Lily Chen | Northside Striders |  |  |  |
| Owen Price | City Harriers |  |  |  |
| Zoe Adams | Lakeside RC |  |  |  |

Formula in E2: `=MATCH(E1,A2:A11,0)`

Result: 4

## How it works

MATCH looks down `A2:A11` for the name in `E1` and returns its position in that range, not a value from it. Maya Ortiz is the 4th name, so the result is 4. The `0` asks for an exact match in a list in any order.

## Other ways

- `=XMATCH(E1,A2:A11)`: Excel 2021, Microsoft 365 and Google Sheets. Exact match is the default, and a 4th argument of -1 finds the last occurrence instead of the first.

## Common mistakes

- The position is counted inside the range. If the list starts in row 2, position 4 is sheet row 5.
- Without the 0, MATCH assumes a sorted list and does an approximate match, which gives wrong positions on unsorted names.
- If the name appears twice, MATCH returns the first position. Use `XMATCH(E1,A2:A11,0,-1)` for the last.

## Questions

**How do I get the sheet row number instead?**

Add the offset of the first row: `=MATCH(E1,A2:A11,0)+ROW(A2)-1`.

**How do I return a message instead of #N/A?**

Wrap it in IFNA: `=IFNA(MATCH(E1,A2:A11,0),"Did not finish")`.

**Can MATCH search a row?**

Yes. Give it a horizontal range, such as `=MATCH("Mar",B1:M1,0)`, to get a column position.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/find-position-of-value-in-list