Partial match for multiple strings – AND logic
This article demonstrates formulas that let you perform partial matches based on multiple strings and return those strings if all match the same cell. This is AND logic meaning all conditions must be met.
Table of contents
- Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns the first match
- Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all matches
- Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all matches (Excel 365)
- Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all corresponding values
- Get Excel file
1. Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns the first match
This regular formula returns the first cell that contains both strings from cell range B3:B13, this is not a case-sensitive match.
Formula in cell E6:
1.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Partial match based on the first condition
The SEARCH function returns a number representing the position of character at which a specific text string is found reading left to right. It is not a case-sensitive search.
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("B",{"F";"BAA";"DBB";"ADD";"DAD";"BDA";"FDA";"BFA";"ABA";"DAF";"FDB"})
and returns
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}.
Notice the error values, this happens when the SEARCH function can't find the string.
Step 2 - Partial match based on second condition
SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("f",{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ADD"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"})
and returns
{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}.
Step 3 - Multiply arrays AND logic
We need to find cells that contain both strings, we can identify those cells by multiplying the arrays. The result will be a number if both strings are found in the same cell.
Here is the logic behind the calculation:
#VALUE! * number = #VALUE!
number * #VALUE! = #VALUE!
number * number = number
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}*{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}
and returns
{#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3}.
Step 4 - Identify numbers
The ISNUMBER function returns TRUE if value is a number and FALSE if not, this works also with error values meaning #VALUE! returns FALSE.
ISNUMBER(value)
ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13))
becomes
ISNUMBER({#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3})
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}.
Step 5 - Find position of first TRUE in array
The MATCH function returns the relative position of an item in an array or cell reference that matches a specified value in a specific order.
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
MATCH(TRUE, ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)), 0)
becomes
MATCH(TRUE, {FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, 0)
and returns 8.
Step 6 - Return value from cell range B3:B13
The INDEX function returns a value from a cell range, you specify which value based on a row and column number.
INDEX($B$3:$B$13, MATCH(TRUE, ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)), 0))
becomes
INDEX($B$3:$B$13, 8)
becomes
INDEX{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ADD"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"}, 8)
and returns "BFA".
2. Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all values
This regular formula returns the all cell values that contain both strings from cell range B3:B13, this is not a case-sensitive match.
Formula in cell E6:
1.1 Explaining formula
Step 1 - Partial match based on the first condition
The SEARCH function returns a number representing the position of character at which a specific text string is found reading left to right. It is not a case-sensitive search.
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("B",{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ABF"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"})
and returns
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; 2; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}.
Notice the error values, they appear if the string is not found at all.
Step 2 - Partial match based on the second condition
SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("f",{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ABF"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"})
and returns
{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}.
Step 3 - Multiply arrays
We need to find cells that contain both strings, we can identify those cells by multiplying the arrays. The result will be a number if both strings are found in the same cell.
Here is the logic behind the calculation:
#VALUE! * number = #VALUE!
number * #VALUE! = #VALUE!
number * number = number
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; 2; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}*{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}
and returns
{#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 6; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3}.
Step 4 - Identify numbers
The ISNUMBER function returns TRUE if value is a number and FALSE if not, this works also with error values meaning #VALUE! returns FALSE.
ISNUMBER(value)
ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13))
becomes
ISNUMBER({#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 6; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3})
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}.
Step 5 - Replace True with row number
The IF function returns one value if the logical test is TRUE and another value if the logical test is FALSE.
IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
We want to substitute True with the corresponding row number in order to get the correct value in step 7.
IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)), MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13)))
becomes
IF({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13)))
The ROW function calculates the row number of a cell reference.
ROW(reference)
This works fine with a reference to a cell range as well, the function returns an array of numbers.
ROW($B$3:$B$13)
returns
{3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13}
The MATCH function returns the relative position of an item in an array or cell reference that matches a specified value in a specific order.
MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13))
becomes
MATCH({3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13}, {3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13})
and returns
{1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11}.
IF({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13)))
becomes
IF({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}, {1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11})
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 4; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 8; FALSE; FALSE; 11}.
Step 6 - Get the k-th smallest row number
The SMALL function returns the k-th smallest value from a group of numbers. The first argument is a cell range or array that you want to find the k-th smallest number from. The SMALL function ignores text and boolean values.
SMALL(array, k)
SMALL(IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)), MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13))), ROWS($A$1:A1))
becomes
SMALL({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 4; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 8; FALSE; FALSE; 11}, ROWS($A$1:A1))
The ROWS function returns a number representing the number of rows in a reference.
ROWS(ref)
ROWS($A$1:A1) contains the following cell reference $A$1:A1, it contains both an absolute and relative cell reference making it a growing cell reference. This means that when the formula is copied to cells below the cell reference expands automatically. This will return a larger number for each cell below making the formula get a new row number in each cell.
SMALL({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 4; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 8; FALSE; FALSE; 11}, ROWS($A$1:A1))
becomes
SMALL({FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 4; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; 8; FALSE; FALSE; 11}, 1)
and returns 4.
Step 7 - Get value
The INDEX function returns a value from a cell range, you specify which value based on a row and column number.
INDEX($B$3:$B$13, SMALL(IF(ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)), MATCH(ROW($B$3:$B$13), ROW($B$3:$B$13))), ROWS($A$1:A1)))
becomes
INDEX($B$3:$B$13, 4)
and returns the value in cell B6 which is "ABF". The fourth cell in $B$3:$B$13 is cell B6.
3. Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all matches (Excel 365)
The following formula extracts values from cell range B3:B13 if both strings are found in a cell, in other words, a partial match for both conditions.
Notice that the formula is much smaller than the previous Excel versions. The new FILTER function is great, it simplifies the formula and makes it easier to understand.
Dynamic array formula in cell E6:
Explaining formula in cell E6
Step 1 - Partial match based on the first condition
The SEARCH function returns a number representing the position of character at which a specific text string is found reading left to right. It is not a case-sensitive search.
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("B",{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ABF"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"})
and returns
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; 2; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}.
Notice the error values, they appear if the string is not found at all.
Step 2 - Partial match based on the second condition
SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
SEARCH("f",{"F"; "BAA"; "DBB"; "ABF"; "DAD"; "BDA"; "FDA"; "BFA"; "ABA"; "DAF"; "FDB"})
and returns
{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}.
Step 3 - Multiply arrays
We need to find cells that contain both strings, we can identify those cells by multiplying the arrays. The result will be a number if both strings are found in the same cell.
Here is the logic behind the calculation:
#VALUE! * number = #VALUE!
number * #VALUE! = #VALUE!
number * number = number
SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)
becomes
{#VALUE!; 1; 2; 2; #VALUE!; 1; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3}*{1; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 1; 2; #VALUE!; 3; 1}
and returns
{#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 6; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3}.
Step 4 - Identify numbers
The ISNUMBER function returns TRUE if value is a number and FALSE if not, this works also with error values meaning #VALUE! returns FALSE.
ISNUMBER(value)
ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13))
becomes
ISNUMBER({#VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 6; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 2; #VALUE!; #VALUE!; 3})
and returns
{FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE}.
Step 5 - Get values
The FILTER function lets you extract values/rows based on a condition or criteria. It is in the Lookup and reference category and is only available to Excel 365 subscribers.
FILTER(B3:B13, ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$2, $B$3:$B$13)*SEARCH($E$3, $B$3:$B$13)))
becomes
FILTER(B3:B13, {FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE; FALSE; FALSE; TRUE})
and returns
{"BFA"; "FDB"}.
4. Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all corresponding values
This formula extracts values from cell range C3:C13 if the corresponding cell in B3;B13 contains both strings specified in cell F2 and F3.
The formula is almost identical to the formula in section 2, only the first cell reference is changed.
Array formula in cell F6:
Read the explanation in section 2 if you want to know more about the formula.
5. Get Excel file
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If the list of strings in column D was to increase to a large number e.g. 15, how would you tell excell to select the range of strings, so that you don't have to select each string "SEARCH($D$3" in the search parameter, as it seems is the case at the moment?
Interesting question! I will look into this as soon as possible. Thanks for commenting!
See this blog post: Search for multiple text strings in multiple cells in excel, part 2
Jerome, see this blog post: https://www.get-digital-help.com/2009/08/24/search-and-display-all-cells-that-contain-all-search-strings-in-excel/
can you please modify the function (f2:f11) to display the text strings in CELL G.. disregard the ROW NUMBER Display thnx
the function will be in data validation.. and it will display 2 outputs in the list
PIPO,
I have now updated this blog post. The array formula is now easier to work with. Only copy the formula to your worksheet and create the named ranges.
Thanks for bringing this post to my attention.
Oscar,
Thank you sir, but if i put the array formula directly in the data validation list.. it only display "BFA" in the list.. i don't want to create a name range for the search result to display in data validation... thanks again in advance
PIPO,
I don´t know how to use an array formula in a data validation list. It seems to only "accept" a range of values.
Very interesting question, maybe someone else has an answer?
But I managed to create a "custom" data validation, see this post: https://www.get-digital-help.com/2009/11/25/search-for-multiple-text-strings-in-multiple-cells-and-use-in-data-validation-in-excel/
Oscar,
Thanks you, it's a very helpful website. Would you able to search for those text strings (Search_Strings) contained in each cell then show? (cell contained both D2:D3 then show). Thanks,
James, can you explain in greater detail? I don´t understand.
Oscar, how can I use the Text_col on a different sheet in the same worksheet?
Text_col is a named range. Select a new range on a different sheet.
Oscar,
Rather than display the values could you collate them as part of a sum?
I have a a sheet that i could use a little help with, is thee any chance you could give me some advise?
Thanks
Daniel.
Daniel,
Array formula in cell E10:
Get the Excel file
search and sum.xls
Oscar ,
Thank you, it's a very helpful website . I need your help in excel search . I have two Columns Cola with more than 10,000 records and Column B with 500 records. I need to show all the rows of Column A which contains case sensitive match of any records from column B.
I used the Alternative formula. When I copy down the formula, it's giving me error: #NUM!
what if I had to print the adjacent column value, consider B is the named range(Text_col), but I want the value in column A, how should I tweak the code?
Very interesting, how would you modify the formula (Partial match for multiple strings - AND logic - returns all matches (Excel 365)) to also exclude criteria?
example search b and f exclude a, c and e thus returning here only FDB?