Excel match with wildcards. An asterisk (*) matches zero or more characters.

Excel match with wildcards If match_type is 0 and lookup_value is a text string, you can use the wildcard characters — the question mark (?) and asterisk (*) — in the lookup_value argument. Zero travel. Next to the column on the first sheet, I want an additional column to contain a formula that will check the value in the first column against the wildcards in the second sheet. In this guide, we're going to show you how to use Wildcard criteria in Excel formulas. Example: XLOOKUP ("*search*", A2:A10, B2:B10) Check for leading or trailing spaces: Sometimes extra spaces in your data can prevent matches. Users had to rely on combining functions like LEFT, RIGHT, MID, FIND, SEARCH, and SUBSTITUTE for pattern matching, resulting in complex, hard-to-maintain formulas. The IFNA portion of the formula is designed to select B39 and do a wild card search based on just the first city, if B29 cannot be found. Discover practical examples using *, ?, and ~ in filtering, VLOOKUP (), and more. One Character A single question mark (?) matches exactly one (any) character. Apr 7, 2025 · We explain different types of Excel VLOOKUP wildcard. Jun 30, 2025 · Excel has always supported basic wildcards (* and ?), but these are primitive compared to regex patterns. Jun 3, 2024 · Learn to use wildcards in Excel's IF Function for partial text matches, making it easy to check if a cell contains a specific word. Wildcards are special characters used in Excel that replace other characters in a formula. The tilde character, on the other hand, is used to denote a wildcard Mar 16, 2018 · Thank you. Also, is the Asterisk function more powerful than the Search function when it comes to closely matching a name as shown by Phuocom? Regards, In case you'd like to look for a partial match in the IF formula (Excel IF function with text containing another word), you can't use an asterisk sign just like you would in the SUMIFS or COUNTIFS If you’re an Excel user, you’ve probably heard of wildcards. This guide will detail how to use XMATCH through practical examples and will highlight its advantages over MATCH. Learn to harness the IF function and wildcard characters for efficient data filtering, enhancing your spreadsheet skills and enabling precise, flexible data analysis. Match(CurrentCellValue1, ArrDataType, 0)) Then Debug. If you have numeric values, use logical operators in the formula. A question mark (?) matches exactly one character. Nov 22, 2019 · Excel wildcards can be used to replace any character in Excel and allow the user to perform advanced searches and matching. In the example, we pick up the value in cell E7 and use concatenation to combine this value with Oct 9, 2024 · Learn how to look up a value containing specific text using wildcards in Excel, helping you perform flexible searches and data analysis. Jul 15, 2024 · While working in Excel sheets, sometimes you need to use wildcards for many purposes. In the example shown, the formula in G7 is: =FILTER (Table1,ISNUMBER (SEARCH (H4,Table1 [Last]))* (H4""),"No results") where Table1 is an Excel Table that contains 100 rows of data in B5:E104. The issue is with the lookup being a # that is format to general. Excel wildcards Excel supports three wildcards that can be used in formulas: Asterisk (*) - zero or more characters Question mark (?) - any one character How to use the wildcards in Excel In this article, we will learn How to use the wildcards in Excel. Jun 8, 2020 · I'm trying to make a formula with multiple criteria and wildcards that will return the matching category if found. The XMATCH function in Excel enhances the MATCH function by adding new features, making it ideal for finding the position of items within arrays or cell ranges. Is there any way to do this? Use wildcard characters as comparison criteria for text filters and when you're searching and replacing content. Jul 31, 2024 · VLOOKUP with wildcard in Excel is done by applying single wildcard and using multiple wildcards and how to avoid wildcards is also discussed 🤔 ABOUT THIS Lesson 👇HOW TO USE MATCH FUNCTION WITH WILDCARDSLearning how to use wildcards with the Match Function. However, if you use wildcards with a number, you'll convert the numeric value to a text value. Among its many features, functions for lookup and matching are some of the most frequently used. Apr 5, 2023 · To use select records from a set of data based on a partial match, you can use the FILTER function with the SEARCH function. In the example shown, XLOOKUP is configured to match the value entered in cell E5, which may appear anywhere in the lookup values in B5:B15. Sections: Wildcards Question Mark Example Asterisk Example Tilde Example Referencing To sum it all up, you can combine wildcard matching with a variety of functions in Excel to search for approximate matches of text. Feb 20, 2019 · Forum Microsoft Office Application Help - Excel Help forum Excel Formulas & Functions [SOLVED] problem using wildcards in INDEX / MATCH formula The use of AI tools (e. XLOOKUP is a modern and flexible replacement for older functions like VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and LOOKUP. Learn how to use wildcard characters in Excel to save time when working with formulas. Here we discuss how to use the three types of wildcards with examples and downloadable excel template. We also learned to use them together with two important Excel functions. If a match is found, it should display the value next to that wildcard. For example, this formula: Oct 20, 2015 · You can match with wildcards, but the wildcards have to be in your lookup value (first position in the formula). Apr 4, 2025 · Complete tutorial on Excel MATCH function with detailed examples and explanations. Note: check "Match entire cell contents" to exclude partial matches (we want to count cells). There will also be solutions covering case sensitivity. May 12, 2025 · Wildcards in Microsoft Excel let you search for partial matches, broaden your filters, and create formulas that reference cells containing certain strings. It is a more robust and flexible successor to the MATCH function. In this article, we will learn about how and when to use Wildcard characters or in-built regex (regular expressions) characters for excel functions. chatGPT, BARD, GPT4 etc) to create forum answers is not permitted. You can use them to find and replace text, match patterns, and more. Nov 7, 2016 · Hello, I would like to have an index match which will allow wildcards around the match array e. Jul 24, 2014 · Learn how to use wildcards with VLOOKUP in Excel to efficiently search and match data, expanding your data lookup capabilities. Simply placing the tilde before the asterisk tells Excel that the asterisk is not to be used as a wildcard. This Excel XLOOKUP Wildcard Tutorial is accompanied by an Excel workbook with the data and formulas I use. Jul 6, 2024 · We have discussed 5 methods to use the wildcard in IF statement in Excel. Wildcards are used to make more sophisticated partial matches. Here a guide to using them. Unleash Excel's potential with wildcards! Explore advanced formulas, solve common issues, and boost productivity by using wildcard in excel. Two hours. It allows you to search, match, and analyze data with partial strings, saving you time and effort when exact matches aren’t possible or practical. The following code counts the number of entries that begin with 'J' in column A of the dataset. Feb 6, 2025 · I want to filter an array (a single line) using XMATCH to return columns based on wildcard criteria. There are other formulas you can use Wildcards with so feel free to experiment. We will learn how to perform partial matches and search for specific patterns within a dataset. I am trying to reclassify a large data set where a range of lookup values relate to one classification and to do this I would like to use the wildcard in the in ‘table_array’ as shown below. Nov 21, 2023 · The objective of this tutorial is to show how to use wildcards with the XLOOKUP and FILTER functions in Excel. But, when you combine an asterisk, which is a wildcard character, you can get the student’s marks by just using a partial match. Welcome to Excel in a Minute!In Excel th Mar 30, 2022 · VBA language referenceBuilt-in pattern matching provides a versatile tool for making string comparisons. Wildcards are used in all programming languages and database application like SQL Server. Aug 19, 2021 · This tutorial will demonstrate how to use wildcards in VBA. Instead, we can combine the IF function with the COUNTIF function, which does support wildcards. They are useful for finding values that match specific patterns and can save time in searching for data. You can use TRIM () on your lookup Jul 21, 2025 · Dim ArrDataType As Variant ArrDataType = Array("Circle:", "Point:") For i = 1 To 10 Step 1 CurrentCellValue1 = Trim(mybook. Examples of wildcard character pattern matching in expressions To use a wildcard character within a pattern: Open your query in Design view. The position can be used as the index value in other lookup functions. XMATCH supports approximate and exact matching, reverse search, and wildcards (* ?) for partial matches. Press CTRL + F to launch the Find and Replace dialog box. What I have looks something like this: Feb 9, 2024 · MATCH is an Excel function used to locate the position of a lookup value in a row, column, or table. Jun 22, 2025 · What Is a Wildcard in Excel? A wildcard in Excel is a special character that substitutes unknown characters in text values. Here we learn to use VLOOKUP with wildcards (Asterix & question mark), examples & downloadable excel template. Mar 25, 2022 · Microsoft Excel’s XLOOKUP() is powerful, but combined with wildcards, it’s also flexible. The following table shows the wildcard characters you can use with the Like operator and the number of digits or strings they match. We can use the COUNTIF function with wildcards to count the number of cells that match a specified pattern. And a tilde (~). Note: In older versions of Excel that do Mar 26, 2019 · Become an Excel wildcard wizard with our comprehensive guide! Learn how to master wildcard characters in Excel for efficient data analysis. May 26, 2024 · Unlock the power of Excel formulas with wildcards for dynamic, flexible data searches. High-impact. Oct 23, 2023 · The XLOOKUP function contains built-in support for wildcards, but this feature must be enabled explicitly by setting match mode to the number 2. Jan 2, 2024 · Excel MATCH function is a lookup/reference formula that returns the relative position of a lookup value from a specified range. Aug 2, 2024 · Step 2 – Combine the INDEX and the MATCH Functions for Multiple Criteria using a Wildcard in Excel Select E7. This formula works well but is missing one of the multiple criteria I need. Nov 22, 2024 · Discover the power of Excel's wildcard search with this guide. When working with text data, sometimes it’s necessary to perform lookups that include wildcards—special May 18, 2023 · The IF function doesn't support wildcards directly, so we can't use IF by itself. However this has always been with the ‘lookup_value’ being the item with the wild card. Click here for details. Nov 12, 2025 · In short, the asterisk tells Excel to search for any text that fits around your known pattern. I use INDEX MATCH to lookup the type in a Feb 18, 2020 · Can I use wildcards with the new FILTER function I want to be able to filter a list that contains cells with lengthy text strings in them such as "12:15 to 12:35 Meeting with (Sponsor 1) at table (2) (Delegate Request)". In this section, we’ll cover the available wildcards, for example, wildcard usage and functions that support wildcards. Here are a few things to check: Ensure correct wildcard usage: Use * to match any number of characters and ? to match a single character. Excel lets you use Wildcard characters for catching strings and perform functions on it. For Where B29 is a name of a Metropolitan area, B39 is the first City (major city) in a metropolitan area if the source data doesn't have a direct match to B29. Practice Excel Wildcards here! Mar 24, 2023 · This tutorial explains how to use wildcards in VBA, including several examples. Jul 29, 2025 · Trying to use either xlookup or index/match look up % from table with using wildcards on the lookup value. Common Wildcard Characters in Excel: This comprehensive guide aims to demystify wildcards in Excel for beginners, intermediate users, and advanced users alike. May 21, 2024 · Learn different ways to search with partial match by INDEX and MATCH functions in Excel with relevant examples and explanations step by step. Nov 19, 2024 · When using this type of match mode, we can perform a basic partial match by removing our traditional wildcard characters: We can write the following formula in C6 which sets the match_mode argument value to 3 for regex match: =XLOOKUP(B6, Table1[Cust], Table1[Amt], , 3) And now we got it: Now, this is an extremely simple example of RegEx. Nov 28, 2018 · Easily sum cells containing specific text for a partial match in Excel using the SUMIF or SUMIFS function with a wildcard. With a bit of creativity, you will learn in this article how to perform “Begins With”, “Ends With”, “Contains”, and “Does Not Contain” search criteria, so that you can carry out more complex filtering with your dynamic array formulas. I am using an Index(Match()) function in my vba code that seems to be experiencing some issues. The TRANSPOSE function is optional and used here only to convert the result from XLOOKUP to a vertical array. 4 days ago · Learn how to master partial matches in Excel, from traditional wildcard characters to using AI tools for faster, more intuitive data lookups and analysis. , w*) and returns all matching values (in one or several cells). The asterisk symbol denotes the occurrence of zero or more characters, while the question mark symbol signifies the presence of only a single character. Range("A" & i)) If IsNumeric(Application. For more about using wildcard characters with the Find and Replace features in Excel, see Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet. Asterisk (*) The asterisk character means any number of characters in the world of a wildcard search. . The question mark wildcard (?) For matching text when only a few characters vary This wildcard represents any single character. Because some of the searched criterion aren't exactly alike, I am trying to use a "*" wildcard opera Aug 31, 2011 · The tilde wild card allows you to search for words that contain a wild card - either * or ?. Note that match_mode must be set to 2 to use wildcards with XLOOKUP. Aug 30, 2024 · The guide above runs us through the smart use of Excel wildcard characters through practical examples. In Excel, you can use three different wildcards to build a formula. Mar 14, 2023 · The tutorial shows how to make Excel IF statement with wildcard text and get it to work for partial matches. You will learn what wildcards are, how to use them effectively in various Excel functions, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to enhance your productivity. MATCH supports approximate and exact matching, and wildcards (* ?) for partial matches. Apr 24, 2021 · Dear community, I'm struggling with a formula where I want to use a wildcard condition to sum and multiply values if the corresponding month is Use Excel's wildcards within search and matching functions to represent unknown characters. Jun 13, 2018 · The MATCH function returns the position or "index" of the first match based on a lookup value in a range. The XLOOKUP function is available in Excel 2021 and later (including Excel 365). May 30, 2025 · Excel Wildcard Characters: A Guide with Examples Learn how Excel's wildcard characters enhance flexibility in search, replace, and formula logic. Jun 15, 2015 · Excel formula LIKE, AND, IF, WILDCARDS Asked 10 years, 5 months ago Modified 4 years, 9 months ago Viewed 228k times Sep 21, 2018 · Excel: MATCH () formulas with no wildcard matching Ask Question Asked 7 years, 2 months ago Modified 7 years, 2 months ago Jun 29, 2024 · Hi @OP! 👋 The issue might be due to wildcard matching behavior in XLOOKUP. I think this would be done through a robust Index-Match formula but I'm struggling Sep 18, 2024 · Excel Wildcard characters and Examples As we mentioned above, wildcards only work with text. Aug 8, 2016 · index match with wildcards and multiple criteria Asked 9 years, 3 months ago Modified 6 years, 5 months ago Viewed 30k times Jul 13, 2024 · XLOOKUP is a powerful Excel function that allows you to search for specific data in a range or table. The type depends on the description of each transaction, which is a text value. You put wildcards in functions, usually in the criteria argument, and this allows you to find partial matches for words, numbers, and characters. Apr 11, 2025 · In the realm of Excel, wildcards are the unsung heroes of search and replace functions, pattern matching, and formulas. Wildcards are characters that allow you to make more robust functions, searches, and filters in Excel. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Using wildcards with XLOOKUP enhances its flexibility, enabling you to perform partial matches and more complex searches. May 9, 2023 · Understanding Wildcards in Excel: Wildcards are characters that represent one or more characters in a search. This article will explain how to use wildcards with XLOOKUP, providing step-by-step instructions, examples, and best practices. The conditional function like COUNTIF,AND,OR, SEARCH are used here. Wildcards are special characters that allow you to perform “fuzzy” matching on text in your formulas. Please post your discoveries in the comments below for all to share. If a user is believed to have used such tools to provide a forum answer, sanctions may be imposed. They are the asterisks (*), question marks (?), and tildes (~) of the spreadsheet world, each serving a unique purpose in assisting users to navigate and manipulate data with Apr 8, 2020 · Good Morning all! I am needing help with matching a cell using a wild card and finding match in a column with a wild card in another sheet and return Cell A Mar 20, 2023 · See how to match data in Excel using the MATCH function. Master this technique today to enhance your spreadsheets! Guide to Wildcard In Excel. Print "Match Found!: " & CurrentCellValue1 End If Next i However I was trying to modify this to find words using wildcards but can't figure out how to do it. So today in this post, I’d like to share with you how to use wildcard characters with VLOOKUP. Use wildcard characters as comparison criteria for text filters and when you're searching and replacing content. Sheets(SourceSh). Excel has 3 wildcards. Partial match up in Excel In Excel, sometimes you find yourself with problems where you need to perform an operation over some values having criteria. May 11, 2024 · To perform a partial match with XLOOKUP, supply 2 for the match mode argument to allow wildcards. A May 28, 2020 · I am semi-familiar with using wild cards in VLOOKUP formulas. In the example shown, the formula in H7 is: =TRANSPOSE((XLOOKUP(H4,D5:D15,B5:E15,"Not found",2))) which performs a wildcard match with the value in H4 and returns all 4 fields as the result. In the Criteria row of the field that you want to use, type the operator Like in front of your criteria. Attache is the excel file. Mar 14, 2023 · Everything you need to know about wildcards: what wildcard characters Excel recognizes, and how to best use them with built-in features and in formulas with text and numbers. Get this example workbook (for Excel offers nearly 20 worksheet functions that support the ability to use wildcards in their arguments to filter results. Aug 13, 2024 · To create a "contains substring" type lookup formula, you can use the XLOOKUP function with wildcards. In this Excel XLOOKUP Wildcard Tutorial, you learn how to create an Excel XLOOKUP wildcard formula, where the XLOOKUP function considers wildcards when searching for a match. They represent non-specified characters to help you locate text values with "fuzzy" matches. I was also wondering if there was a way to do this with the index match formula so there is more flexibility in case I move some of the columns in the future. May 14, 2024 · Explanation Excel supports the wildcard characters "*" and "?", and these wildcards can be used to perform partial (substring) matches in various lookup formulas. So, for example, “Ap*” will match “Apple“, “Application 3 days ago · Excel Match Wildcard in Lookup Array (with 3 Formulas) Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that allows users to perform a vast array of data analysis, management, and reporting tasks. Bring MrExcel to your people. g. Enter the INDEX MATCH formula in the Formula bar. I am able to create the formula without XMATCH wildcards. Here, I will show you how to use wildcards in Excel. Sep 16, 2008 · Live Online Excel Training for Your Team from MrExcel. There are three Excel wildcard characters (asterisk, question mark, and tilde) that can get some amazing stuff done in Excel. A wildcard is a special character that lets you perform "fuzzy" matching on text in your Excel formulas. Wildcards can help when matching against partial phrases. One is a list of wildcards, and the other is another list of values. Here are some examples. Beyond FILTER, it also works with other functions that use criteria or pattern matching, such as COUNTIF, MATCH, and AVERAGEIF. Built-in pattern matching provides a versatile tool for making string comparisons. There are three wildcards in Excel: the asterisk, question mark, and tilde. Sep 14, 2016 · I want to assign a transaction type to a list of credit card transactions. Often, MATCH is combined with the INDEX function to retrieve a value at a matched position. May 6, 2025 · The Excel XLOOKUP function is a powerful tool designed to look up a value in one range and return a corresponding value in another range — it supports approximate and exact matching, wildcards, regular expressions (regex), reverse searches, and lookups in vertical or horizontal ranges. If they are in the lookup array (second position in the formula) they are not wildcards, just literal * s in the cell values. In the example shown, the formula in F5 is: XLOOKUP ("*"&G4&"*",data [Title],data,,2) Where G4 contains a partial string to look for and data is an Excel Table in the range B5:D16. Its myriad functions and features facilitate complex data analysis, reporting, and decision-making. MATCH supports wildcard matching with an asterisk "*" (one or more characters) or a question mark "?" (one character), but only when t he third argument, match_type, is set to FALSE or zero. We also share examples for each wildcard and explain how to troubleshoot any issues. The question mark wildcard replaces one character in text, while the asterisk replaces any number of characters. Jan 6, 2020 · Wildcard represents one or more other characters. g Learn how to use the COUNTIF function in Excel for partial matching, including wildcard characters, with helpful examples and explanations. An asterisk (*) matches zero or more characters. XMATCH with wildcard (exchanged order Jun 4, 2025 · The Excel XMATCH function performs a lookup and returns a position of a value in a range. Replace one or more characters in the criteria with a wildcard character. Oct 9, 2024 · Master how to locate the first partial match in Excel with wildcards, allowing you to find data entries that meet specific pattern criteria. 2 days ago · Using the INDEX MATCH Function with Multiple Criteria and a Wildcard in Excel – 2 Easy Steps Excel is one of the most powerful tools used by professionals, students, and data analysts worldwide. A guide to VLOOKUP Wildcard. These can also be used in the Conditional Formatting rules that use the "Only format cells that contain specific text" criteria. Aug 23, 2022 · Unfortunately, Excel’s Filter function does not perform partial-match or wildcard searches. Feb 8, 2019 · I'm trying to figure out a formula that helps me search a row for a wildcard text (e. Basic uses and advanced formula examples for case-sensitive match, Vlookup and Match, and more. hcoqgm ufaz jnvvk pqev gfyufmg esvwn jike sfhgejp yuonjvki qzvqzou zgbqoto dso flurldno xruio ayho