# Excel SEARCH Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/excel/search-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) The SEARCH function locates specific text in a string, beginning at a specified position, returning the starting index of the found text. ```excel =SEARCH(find_text, within_text, [start_num]) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the SEARCH you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula Need more than a single SEARCH formula? Try our free [AI for Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) — it reads your entire spreadsheet, answers questions in plain English, and builds charts and analysis in the same chat. ## Parameters **`find_text`**:\ The text that you want to find within the `within_text`. This can be a string of characters or a cell reference containing the text to search for. **`within_text`**:\ The text or cell reference in which you want to search for the `find_text`. This can be a string, a cell reference, or a range of cells. **`start_num`**:\ The position in the `within_text` from which to start the search. This is an optional parameter; if omitted, the search begins at the first character of `within_text`. ## What is a SEARCH Formula in Excel? The *SEARCH* function in Excel is a useful tool that allows you to find the position of a specific substring within a text string. It returns the number of the character at which the substring is found, making it easier to locate specific information within larger text entries. In simpler terms, the SEARCH function helps you identify where a certain word or phrase appears in a text, which can be particularly helpful for data analysis and text manipulation. ## A Practical Example Imagine you are working with a list of customer feedback comments in an Excel spreadsheet, and you have the following data: ### Customer Feedback Table: | Customer ID | Feedback Comment | | - | - | | 1 | Great service and friendly staff! | | 2 | The product quality could be better. | | 3 | Excellent experience overall! | | 4 | Staff was rude and unhelpful. | | 5 | Loved the quick response time! | You want to find out which comments mention the word "service." ## SEARCH Formula To locate the position of the word "service" in the feedback comments, you would use the SEARCH formula as follows: ```excel =SEARCH("service", B2) ``` ### Breakdown of the Formula: - **"service"**: This is the substring you are searching for within the text. - **B2**: This is the cell containing the text string where the search will be performed. ## Result of the Formula When you apply the formula to the first feedback comment, it returns the position of the word "service." The output would be: | Position of "service" in Comment | | - | | 7 | Here, the word "service" starts at the 7th character of the comment "Great service and friendly staff!" ## Why Use SEARCH? The SEARCH function is particularly useful when you need to analyze text data and identify specific keywords or phrases without case sensitivity. It allows you to efficiently locate information within larger datasets, facilitating better data management and analysis. ## Key Takeaways: - **SEARCH**: Finds the position of a substring within a text string. - **Text Analysis**: Helps you identify keywords or phrases in your data. - **Common Use Cases**: Ideal for text data analysis, data cleaning, and any scenario where you need to locate specific information within text entries. Understanding how to use the SEARCH function can significantly enhance your text analysis capabilities in Excel, enabling you to extract valuable insights from your textual data. Happy searching! ## Example use case You have a list of product descriptions in Column A and you want to identify which products contain the word "organic." By using the SEARCH function, you can determine the position of the word "organic" within each description. This allows you to filter or highlight products that meet specific criteria, aiding in inventory management and marketing strategies without needing to manually review each description. **Beyond the SEARCH function:** Better Analyst is a full [Excel AI](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that goes well past individual formulas. Upload any spreadsheet and ask questions in plain English — you'll get formulas, data analysis, and charts back in seconds. It's a free [AI Excel assistant](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) that works with any .xlsx, .xls, or .csv file — no plugins, no Microsoft 365 required. Don't have a spreadsheet yet? Use our free [AI spreadsheet generator](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) to turn a text prompt into a downloadable Excel file — a full [AI Excel sheet maker](https://betteranalyst.com/ai-excel-spreadsheet-generator) that builds headers, columns, and formulas from your description. ## Need more help with Excel formulas? Create a free account for formula help, explanations, and spreadsheet analysis. Usage limits depend on your plan. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Excel how-to guides - [How To Sort In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-sort-in-excel) - [How To Split Cells In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-split-cells-in-excel) - [How To Strikethrough In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-strikethrough-in-excel) - [How To Subtract In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-subtract-in-excel) - [How To Transpose Data In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-transpose-data-in-excel) - [How To Unhide Columns In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unhide-all-columns-in-excel) - [How To Unhide Rows In Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unhide-all-rows-in-excel) - [How To Unprotect Excel](https://betteranalyst.com/excel/how-to-unprotect-excel) ## Explore all Excel formulas Browse our complete library of Excel formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. Open a neutral research prompt in the AI tool you already use. Compare capabilities, limitations, and fit before you choose. 1. [01ChatGPTOpen a balanced comparison prompt in ChatGPT.](https://chatgpt.com/?prompt=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 2. [02ClaudeOpen the same research prompt in Claude.](https://claude.ai/new?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) 3. [03PerplexityResearch the comparison with linked web sources.](https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=Compare%20Better%20Analyst%20with%20using%20a%20general-purpose%20AI%20assistant%20for%20data%20analysis.%20Evaluate%20spreadsheet%20and%20document%20analysis%2C%20dashboards%2C%20repeatable%20reports%2C%20code%20transparency%2C%20data%20connections%2C%20pricing%2C%20and%20limitations.%20Use%20current%20public%20sources%2C%20distinguish%20verified%20facts%20from%20assumptions%2C%20and%20explain%20which%20types%20of%20users%20each%20option%20fits%20best.) AI answers can be incomplete. Check source links, current pricing, and product documentation before deciding.