Lookup
Picking a cell from one row
Definition
Picking a cell from one row means giving INDEX that row, row number 1, and the column position inside the row.
Syntax
=INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
array |
The single row to read from, such as A3:C3. |
row_num |
The row position inside the range. For one row this is 1. |
column_num |
The position of the column inside the range, counting the first cell as 1. |
Worked example
A code row stores three marks in A3:C3. The second mark is the one to return.
| A: Slot 1 | B: Slot 2 | C: Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|
| x | y | z |
Formula: =INDEX(A3:C3,1,2)
Result: y. Row 1, column 2 of A3:C3 is y.
Practice
Cell A2 holds a. Cell B2 holds b. Cell C2 holds c. In D2, write a formula that returns row 1, column 3 of A2:C2.
- In D2, write an INDEX formula that returns row 1, column 3 of A2:C2.
- D2 should show row 1, column 3 of A2:C2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =INDEX(A2:C2,1,3) in D2.
Row 1 column 3 of that range is c.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
D2 uses INDEX.
D2 now shows c.
The next lesson is Finding a name in a list.
Related functions
INDEX is the function that returns the value at that column position in the row.
Common mistake
Picking the first column, as in =INDEX(A3:C3,1,1): that returns x, the first slot, not y.