Find the position before returning the value

MATCH searches a single row or column and returns the position of a requested value. INDEX can then use a position to retrieve information from another range. The source presents the combination as an alternative to relying entirely on VLOOKUP. Separating the position-finding task from the returned range makes it easier to understand the role each function performs in the completed lookup.

Choose exact matching when that is the intention

MATCH's optional search type controls how the lookup behaves. A value of zero requests an exact match, while the approximate options have sorting requirements and different selection rules. Do not omit the argument without understanding its default. Check that the searched range is one-dimensional and that the returned range aligns with the positions being found. A lookup is dependable only when both parts describe compatible data.

Choose Exact Matching in a Google Sheets INDEX-MATCH Lookup