The SEARCH function searches a text string from another and returns the location in the second text string. For example, the result returns 2 when searching the text string "ear" from the second text string "SEARCH Function".
Formula:
=SEARCH(find_text,within_text,[start_num])
Explanations:
– Find_text is required, the text string that you need to find;
– Within_text is required, the second text string that contains "Find_text";
– [Start_num] is optional, the starting point that you start your search. When it is omitted, it is assumed to be 1.
Cautions:
– When [Start_num] is less than 1, returns #VALUE! error;
– If "Within_text" does not contain "Find_text", the result returns #VALUE! Error;
– If [Start_num] has decimals, only integer portion will be extracted;
– The SEARCH function is not case sensitive, so please refer to FIND function when you do case sensitive search.
Example 1: What is the position of the first letter "s" in the text string "How to use the search function"?
=SEARCH ("s", B1)
The first "s" in the string "How to use the search function" is at the 9th position.
Example 2: What is the position of 2nd letter "s" in the text string "How to use the search function"?
=SEARCH ("s", B1, 10)
The 2nd "s" in the string "How to use the search function" is at the 16th position.