SVERWEIS with text - how to use the function in Excel

With the SVERWEIS function you can search your data in Microsoft Excel. The search criterion you specify does not necessarily have to be a number, but can also be a text. Learn here how to search for text with SVERWEIS and what you should keep in mind.

Searching text with SVERWEIS - how it works

SVERWEIS can process both text and digits as search criteria. The only important thing is that the formats of the search term and the data in the search area match. For example, if the search criterion is text, the data in the subject area must also be text. If the formats do not match, you will get the error message "#NV" instead of a search result.The syntax of SVERWEIS remains the same even if you search for text: =SVERWEIS(search_criterion; matrix; column_index; [range_reference])

• The argument "search_criterion" is the number or text you want to search for. Either enter the search term directly into the function's formula or specify the cell in which you entered the term.
• The matrix defines the range in which SVERWEIS should search.
• Using the "column index" argument, you specify in which column SVERWEIS should search for the search criterion.
• Optionally, you can use the "[range_reference]" argument to specify whether or not the search should pay attention to an exact match between the search term and the result. The value 1 activates the imprecise search and value 0 the exact search.