What does it do?
It returns a cell´s value from within a table/range
Formula breakdown:
=INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])
What it means:
=INDEX(from this table/range, return me this row number, [and return me this column number])
The INDEX function in Excel returns a cell´s values from within a table/array.
It works like a map, so you have to select a range (table/array) and tell it to return you the coordinates (Row & Column numbers).
So if you want to return values from a Price List or large data set, then your INDEX function is your savior.
We want to get the price of a laptop in 2014 and 2015 based on price table.
STEP 1: We need to enter the INDEX function in a blank cell:
=INDEX(
STEP 2: The INDEX arguments for the 2014 laptop price:
Array
What is the table of source data?
We need to select the pricing table here.
=INDEX(C16:E19,
Row_num
What row number contains the data?
Since we want the laptop, it’s on row #2
=INDEX(C16:E19, 2,
Column_num
What column number contains the data?
Since we want the price for the year 2014, it’s on column #2
=INDEX(C16:E19, 2, 2)
STEP 3: The INDEX arguments for the 2015 laptop price:
Array
What is the table of source data?
We need to select the pricing table here.
=INDEX(C16:E19,
Row_num
What row number contains the data?
Since we want the laptop, it’s on row #2
=INDEX(C16:E19, 2,
Column_num
What column number contains the data?
Since we want the price for the year 2015, it’s on column #3
=INDEX(C16:E19, 2, 3)
You now have your prices!
How to Use the Index Formula in Excel
