Google Sheets SEARCHB Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

search_for:
The text or character that you want to find within the text_to_search. This can be a string or a cell reference containing the string.

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

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 SEARCHB Google Sheets Formula?

The SEARCHB function in Google Sheets is a useful tool for finding the position of a substring within a string. It is particularly beneficial when dealing with text in different languages, as it allows for the use of byte-based character counting. This means that it can accurately locate characters in languages that use multi-byte character sets, such as Chinese or Japanese.

In simpler terms, SEARCHB helps you identify where a specific piece of text appears within a larger text string, making it easier to manipulate and analyze text data.

A Practical Example

Imagine you have a list of product descriptions in a Google Sheets document, and you want to find out if a specific keyword appears in each description.

Product Descriptions Table:

You want to check if the word "Widget" appears in each description.

SEARCHB Formula

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

=SEARCHB("Widget", B2)

In this formula:

• "Widget" is the substring you are searching for.
• B2 is the cell containing the description you want to search within.

Result of the Formula

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

The "Position" column indicates where the word "Widget" starts in each description. If the substring is not found, the formula will return an error.

Why Use SEARCHB?

SEARCHB is beneficial because it allows for precise text searching in Google Sheets, especially when working with languages that use multi-byte characters. It simplifies the process of locating substrings, making it easier to analyze and manipulate text data. Additionally, it can be combined with other functions to create more complex formulas for data analysis.

Key Takeaways:

• SEARCHB: A Google Sheets function that finds the position of a substring within a string using byte-based character counting.
• Multi-byte Support: Ideal for searching text in languages that use multi-byte character sets.
• Error Handling: Returns an error if the substring is not found, which can be managed with additional functions.
• Common Use Cases: Useful for text analysis, data cleaning, and any scenario where substring searching is necessary.

SEARCHB is an essential function for anyone working with text data in Google Sheets, providing a powerful way to enhance text analysis and reporting capabilities.

Happy spreadsheeting!