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The INDEX function is among the most useful functions in Excel and Google Sheets. It helps you retrieve a value from a specific position within a range of cells. Think of it as a way to look up a value in a table when you know its row and column location.

Follow the steps below on how to use the INDEX function in Excel and Google Sheets:

Select the range of cells that contain the values you want to search through

Identify the position of the desired value.

1. For example, we want to extract the month and year located in the 4th position.

1. =INDEX(B11:H11, 4)
 1. B11:H11 -&gt; The list containing the values
 2. 4 -&gt; extracts data from the 4th column (e.g. Feb 2025)

1. Select the range of cells that contain the values you want to search through
2. Identify the position of the desired value.
 1. For example, we want to extract the month and year located in the 4th position.
3. Enter the INDEX function as shown below.
 1. =INDEX(B11:H11, 4)
 1. B11:H11 -&gt; The list containing the values
 2. 4 -&gt; extracts data from the 4th column (e.g. Feb 2025)

Finding a Value in a Single Column

1. For example, we want to extract the name of the account located in the 3rd position.

1. =INDEX(B11:B24, 3)
 1. B11:B24 -&gt; The list containing the values
 2. 3 -&gt; extracts data from the 3rd row (e.g. Design Income)

1. Select the range of cells that contain the values you want to search through
2. Identify the position of the desired value.
 1. For example, we want to extract the name of the account located in the 3rd position.
3. Enter the INDEX function as shown below.
 1. =INDEX(B11:B24, 3)
 1. B11:B24 -&gt; The list containing the values
 2. 3 -&gt; extracts data from the 3rd row (e.g. Design Income)

Select the entire table you want to search through.

Identify the row and the column position of your desired cell value

1. For example, we want to extract the account value for Design Income in Feb 2025.

1. =INDEX(B12:H25, 3, 4)
 1. B12:H25 -&gt; The table containing the values
 2. 3 -&gt; extracts data from the 3rd row (e.g. Design Income)
 3. 4 -&gt; extracts data from the 4th column (e.g. Feb 2025)

1. Select the entire table you want to search through.
2. Identify the row and the column position of your desired cell value
 1. For example, we want to extract the account value for Design Income in Feb 2025.
3. Enter the INDEX function as shown below
 1. =INDEX(B12:H25, 3, 4)
 1. B12:H25 -&gt; The table containing the values
 2. 3 -&gt; extracts data from the 3rd row (e.g. Design Income)
 3. 4 -&gt; extracts data from the 4th column (e.g. Feb 2025)

If entered correctly, the formula will return 21,375 which is the account value for Design Income in Feb 2025.