Better Sheets

Formulas > =FIND()

How To Use FIND() Function in Google Sheets

Description

<div>Returns the position at which a string is first found within text.<br><br><strong><br>Common questions about the FIND formula in Google Sheets:</strong></div><ol><li>What does the FIND formula do?</li><li>How does the FIND formula work?</li><li>What are the arguments of the FIND formula?</li><li>Can the FIND formula be used to search for multiple occurrences of a text?</li><li>Does the FIND formula distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters?</li><li>Can the FIND formula search for special characters or symbols?</li><li>How can the FIND formula be combined with other functions in Google Sheets?</li></ol><div><br><strong>Appropriate use of the FIND formula in Google Sheets:</strong></div><ol><li>Finding the position of a specific text within a larger text string.</li><li>Extracting a portion of a text based on its position.</li><li>Performing conditional formatting based on the presence or position of specific text.</li><li>Searching for specific keywords or phrases within a text.</li></ol><div><br><strong>Common mistyping of the FIND formula:</strong></div><ol><li>Misspelling the function name as "FIN" or "FINDS."</li><li>Mixing up the order of the arguments, such as using the search text before the text to be searched.</li><li>Omitting the quotation marks around the search text argument.</li></ol><div><br><strong>Common inappropriate use of the FIND formula:</strong></div><ol><li>Using the FIND formula when the data is not in text format.</li><li>Expecting the FIND formula to return multiple occurrences of a text (it only returns the position of the first occurrence).</li><li>Using the FIND formula for complex text analysis tasks better suited for regular expressions or other advanced techniques.</li></ol><div><br><strong>Common pitfalls when using the FIND formula:</strong></div><ol><li>Case sensitivity: The FIND formula is case-sensitive, meaning it distinguishes between uppercase and lowercase letters.</li><li>Positioning: The FIND formula returns the position of the first character of the found text within the larger text string.</li><li>Error handling: If the search text is not found, the FIND formula returns an error value (#VALUE!).</li></ol><div><strong><br>Common mistakes when using the FIND formula:</strong></div><ol><li>Forgetting to specify the cell references or text strings correctly in the formula.</li><li>Failing to consider the case sensitivity of the FIND formula.</li><li>Neglecting to handle the error values returned when the search text is not found.</li></ol><div><br><strong>Common misconceptions about the FIND formula:</strong></div><ol><li>The FIND formula can directly extract or replace a specific text within a string (it only returns the position).</li><li>The FIND formula can search for multiple occurrences of a text (it only finds the position of the first occurrence).</li></ol><div><strong>Google Sheet Formula Frustrations Solved</strong></div><div>Find every formula you'll ever need in Google Sheets here at Better Sheets. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, I’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide of 504 formulas.</div><div><br></div><div>Are you struggling to find a specific value in a column of data? Look no further than the powerful <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/vlookup">VLOOKUP</a> formula. Or maybe you need to calculate the sum of values that meet specific criteria - try out <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/sumif">SUMIF</a>. And when it comes to frequency of values, <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/countif">COUNTIF</a> has you covered.</div><div><br></div><div>Have you heard of the mysterious and powerful IF formula? It can turn your spreadsheets into gateways of productivity. And don't forget about the oft-partner <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/isblank">ISBLANK</a>().&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Find step-by-step tutorials for any formula here on Better Sheets. Every formula page comes with links to written blog posts and Better Sheets tutorials featuring the exact formula.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking for a way to segment data based on specific criteria? The <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/filter">FILTER</a> formula is perfect for you.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>If you need to replace <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/vlookup">VLOOKUP</a>, give <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/index-3098242">INDEX</a>/<a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/match">MATCH</a> a try.</div><div><br></div><div>At bettersheets.co/formulas, I have everything you need to take your Google Sheets skills to the next level.&nbsp;</div><div>From <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/arrayformula">ARRAYFORMULA</a>() to <a href="https://bettersheets.co/formulas/ztest">ZTEST</a>(), Better Sheets has it all.&nbsp;</div>

How To Actually Use FIND() in Sheets

<pre>FIND(search_for, text_to_search, [starting_at])</pre>
Google Docs Help

4 Better Sheets Tutorials

How to Add YouTube Thumbnails

Add the image of a youtube thumbnail with only a YouTube url into your Google Sheets. Great use case for Substitute() or Split() functions. Nice way to add a little visual flair to your sheets.
FIND() SUBSTITUTE() IFERROR() SPLIT() INDEX()

Quadrant to List and List to Quadrant

We're going to like take some data, twist it and turn it into a different type of like look and feel. And then we're going to do the same thing in reverse.
Intermediate
FIND() FILTER() IFERROR() IF() JOIN()

A Few New Spreadsheet Business Ideas

Learn how to import DropCatch data with 100,000 domains into a Google Sheet. Find out how to get a filtered list of domains with sheet in them. And how to generate ideas of what to build based on these found domains.

Leveraging Expired Domain Names for Google Sheets Business: The speaker discusses using expired domain names to create and sell Google Sheets templates or tools. He demonstrates how to find domain names related to 'sheets' and suggests creative business ideas around them.

Importing and Analyzing Data in Google Sheets: The process of importing CSV data into Google Sheets and manipulating it to find specific information (like domains containing the word 'sheet') is showcased. This highlights the versatility of Google Sheets in handling and analyzing data.

Idea Generation and Business Opportunities in Google Sheets: The speaker, Andrew Kamphey, provides several examples of how to generate business ideas using Google Sheets. He suggests various niches like WordPress-related spreadsheets, balance sheets for accountants, and even educational tools like math workbooks, demonstrating the wide range of potential applications for Google Sheets in various domains.
Intermediate
FILTER() ARRAYFORMULA() LOWER() IF() IFERROR() +1 more

Create a Branded Lead Magnet from Qualitative Data

Intermediate
LEN() ROUND() COUNTA() COUNTIF() SPLIT() +7 more

Learn more about the FIND() formula:

FIND a character or string from another string in Google Sheets and Excel

Quickly learn the FIND function in Excel and Google Sheets. What does it do? What does it return? I will show you examples of using this function. I’ll also show you some tips to keep in mind when using the function like using the default option for the 3rd parameter.

Generate a FIND() formula for your needs with AI

Google Sheets Formula Generator

Whatever you need to do in sheets, you can generate a formula. Use the Better Sheets Formula generator to create a formula for any need. Completely free for members.

Asa

Looking for more help inside sheets get the free Add-on: Asa. Ask Sheets Anything. Go ahead, ask it any problem you migth have. Bring your own APIKEY and generate formulas inside of Google Sheets.

Better Sheets

Something for everyone to Learn Google Sheets. Includes Google Sheets for Beginners and Advanced Google Sheets Tutorials alike.

Get Started Now

Google Sheets Help

Google Sheets Courses

Google Sheet Templates and Tools

Google Sheet Add Ons