Excel tools to demonstrate

INDEX Function

The INDEX function is useful for finding the value in a particular cell of a rectangular range. You access this value by the index of the cell you want. Specifically, you specify a row index and a column index. For example, if the range has 10 rows and 20 columns, the index 4,8 indicates row 4 and column 8 of the range.

To use the INDEX function:

Enter the formula =INDEX(range,r_index,c_index), where r_index is an integer (for row) and c_index is an integer (for column).

For example, the formula =INDEX(D11:F20,4,2) refers to the value in cell E14, the cell in the fourth row and second column of the range.

If range is a single-column range, then the c_index argument can be omitted. In that case, =INDEX(range,r_index) returns the value in row r_index of the range. For example, the formula =INDEX(A11:A20,3) refers to the value in cell A13, the third cell in the range. Similarly, if range is a single-row range, only c_index needs to be included. For example, the formula =INDEX(B10:E10,3) refers to the value in cell D10, the third cell in the range.

Try it! Find the unit shipping cost from Plant2 to City3 with a formula in cell B6. Then enter a formula in cell B10 that finds the unit shipping cost from the plant to the city specified in cells B8 and B9. This formula should respond appropriately to whatever plant and city indexes are entered in cells B8 and B9. (Scroll to the right for the answers.)