Google Sheets FINDB Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

search_for:
The substring or character that you want to find within the text_to_search.

text_to_search:
The text string or cell reference in which you want to search for the search_for substring.

starting_at:
(Optional) The position in the text_to_search from which to start the search. If omitted, the search begins at the first character.

What is a FINDB Function?

The FINDB function in Google Sheets is a text function used to find the position of a substring within a string, specifically when dealing with byte sequences. This function is particularly useful when working with double-byte character sets (DBCS), such as those used in languages like Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Unlike the standard FIND function, which operates on characters, FINDB counts bytes, making it essential for accurate string manipulation in multi-byte languages.

In simpler terms, FINDB allows you to locate where a specific sequence of bytes appears within a larger string, which is crucial for text processing in certain languages.

A Practical Example

Imagine you are working with a dataset that includes product descriptions in both English and Chinese:

Product Descriptions Table:

You want to find the position of the Chinese substring "小部件" in each product description.

FINDB Formula

To achieve this, you would use the FINDB function as follows:

=FINDB("小部件", B2)

In this formula:

• "小部件" is the substring you are searching for.
• B2 is the cell containing the product description.

Result of the Formula

When you apply the FINDB formula to the Product Descriptions Table, the output would look like this:

In this case, the FINDB function returns 10 for each product description, indicating that the substring "小部件" starts at the 10th byte of the string.

Why Use FINDB?

FINDB is beneficial because it allows for precise text searching in languages that utilize multi-byte characters. It ensures that you can accurately locate and manipulate text data without miscounting characters due to byte differences. This function is particularly important for developers and analysts working with international datasets.

Key Takeaways:

• FINDB: A specialized function for finding the position of a substring within a string based on byte count.
• Multi-byte Support: Essential for working with languages that use double-byte character sets.
• Text Processing: Facilitates accurate string manipulation and data analysis in multilingual contexts.
• Common Use Cases: Ideal for text analysis, data cleaning, and any scenario requiring precise substring location in multi-byte languages.

FINDB is an essential function for anyone dealing with international data, providing a powerful way to enhance text processing capabilities in Google Sheets.

Happy spreadsheeting!