# Google Sheets FINDB Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/findb-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 FINDB function returns the position of a substring within a text string, counting bytes instead of characters for double-byte languages. ``` FINDB(search_for, text_to_search, [starting_at]) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the FINDB you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula ## Parameters **`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: | ProductID | Description | | - | - | | 1 | Widget A (小部件A) | | 2 | Widget B (小部件B) | | 3 | Widget C (小部件C) | 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: | ProductID | Description | Position | | - | - | - | | 1 | Widget A (小部件A) | 10 | | 2 | Widget B (小部件B) | 10 | | 3 | Widget C (小部件C) | 10 | 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! ## Example use case You have a list of product codes in Column A and their descriptions in Column B. By using the FINDB formula, you can find the position of a specific character in the product code, helping you extract relevant information for inventory management efficiently. ## Need more help with Google Sheets formulas? Sign up for Better Analyst and get unlimited AI-powered formula generation, explanations, and advanced data analysis. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Google Sheets how-to guides - [How To Make A Graph In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-make-a-graph-in-google-sheets) - [How To Make A Histogram In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-make-a-histogram-in-google-sheets) - [How To Make A Line Graph In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-make-a-line-graph-in-google-sheets) - [How To Make A Pie Chart In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-make-a-pie-chart-in-google-sheets) - [How To Make A Table In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-make-a-table-in-google-sheets) - [How To Merge Cells In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-merge-cells-in-google-sheets) - [How To Multiply In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-multiply-in-google-sheets) - [How To Password Protect An Google Sheets File](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-password-protect-an-google-sheets-file) ## Explore all Google Sheets formulas Browse our complete library of Google Sheets formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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