How to Use INDEX MATCH

INDEX MATCH is a powerful, flexible lookup that works in any direction. Here's the pattern and when to reach for it.

The pattern

=INDEX(return_range, MATCH(search_key, lookup_range, 0))

MATCH finds the row, INDEX returns the value from that row.

Unlike VLOOKUP, it can look left and doesn't break when columns are inserted.

Describe what you want in plain English. Get the exact Google Sheets / Excel formula.