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Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers for Microsoft Excel - Comprehensive list of Excel interview questions
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Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers on Excel [2025 Updated]

Last Updated on March 26, 2025 by Admin

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that is widely used in the business world for data analysis, budgeting, and reporting. As a result, Excel proficiency is a highly sought-after skill for many job positions. If you’re preparing for an Excel interview, it’s important to be well-versed in various topics, from basic functions to advanced techniques. In this blog post, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 100 interview questions and answers for Excel, covering everything you need to know to ace your interview. So whether you’re a beginner or an expert, read on to prepare yourself for any Excel-related interview questions that may come your way.

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100 Interview Questions and Answers for Excel

Are you preparing for an interview that requires Microsoft Excel skills? Look no further! This post on “Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers for Microsoft Excel” is here to help you prepare for any Excel-related interview questions that may come your way. We’ve included interview questions and answers for Excel, from basic to advanced topics, as well as specific questions for freshers and data analysts. Before heading into the job interview, Jane reviewed common interview questions and answers on Excel to ensure she was prepared for any technical challenges they might present.

Our comprehensive list covers all the essential topics you need to know to impress your interviewer, including functions, formulas, formatting, and data analysis techniques.

We’ve also included an Excel interview questions and answers PDF that you can download for easy reference during your interview preparation. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced Excel user, our blog post will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to ace your next interview. So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to boost your Excel proficiency and land your dream job! Here are 100 interview questions and answers for Microsoft Excel:

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1. What is Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft that is used for organizing, manipulating, and analyzing data.

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel

2. What are the different versions of Excel?

There are various versions of Microsoft Excel, including Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel 2007.

3. How do you open a new workbook in Excel?

To open a new workbook in Excel, click on the File tab and select New. Then, select Blank Workbook and click on Create.

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4. What is a cell in Excel?

A cell is the intersection of a row and a column in an Excel spreadsheet. It is where data can be entered, edited, and manipulated.

5. What is a worksheet in Excel?

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A worksheet is a single tab within an Excel workbook that contains cells organized in rows and columns.

6. What is a workbook in Excel?

A workbook is a collection of one or more worksheets within a single file in Excel.

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7. How do you enter data into a cell in Excel?

To enter data into a cell in Excel, simply click on the cell and start typing.

8. How do you format data in Excel?

To format data in Excel, select the cells that you want to format and then use the formatting options on the Home tab of the Ribbon.

9. What are some common formatting options in Excel?

Some common formatting options in Excel include font size, font style, font color, number format, cell borders, and shading.

10. How do you copy and paste data in Excel?

To copy and paste data in Excel, select the data that you want to copy, press Ctrl+C, select the cell where you want to paste the data, and then press Ctrl+V.

11. How do you move data in Excel?

To move data in Excel, select the data that you want to move, hover your mouse over the border of the selection until you see a four-headed arrow, click and drag the selection to the new location, and then release the mouse button.

12. What is a formula in Excel?

A formula is an equation that performs calculations on the data in your Excel spreadsheet.

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13. How do you create a formula in Excel?

To create a formula in Excel, start by typing an equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to enter the formula. Then, type the formula using cell references, arithmetic operators, and functions.

14. What is a function in Excel?

A function is a pre-built formula that performs a specific calculation in Excel.

15. How do you use a function in Excel?

To use a function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to use the function. Then, type the name of the function followed by the necessary arguments.

16. What is the SUM function in Excel?

The SUM function in Excel is used to add up a range of numbers.

17. How do you use the SUM function in Excel?

To use the SUM function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “SUM(” followed by the range of cells that you want to add up and close the parentheses.

18. What is the COUNT function in Excel?

The COUNT function in Excel is used to count the number of cells in a range that contain numerical values.

19. How do you use the COUNT function in Excel?

To use the COUNT function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “COUNT(” followed by the range of cells that you want to count and close the parentheses.

20. What is the AVERAGE function in Excel?

The AVERAGE function in Excel is used to calculate the average of a range of numbers.

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21. How do you use the AVERAGE function in Excel?

To use the AVERAGE function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “AVERAGE(” followed by the range of cells that you want to average and close the parentheses.

22. What is conditional formatting in Excel?

Conditional formatting is a feature in Excel that allows you to apply formatting to cells based on specific conditions.

23. How do you apply conditional formatting in Excel?

To apply conditional formatting in Excel, select the cells that you want to apply the formatting to and then select the desired condition and formatting options from the Conditional Formatting menu on the Home tab of the Ribbon.

24. What is a pivot table in Excel?

A pivot table is a powerful tool in Excel that allows you to summarize and analyze large amounts of data.

25. How do you create a pivot table in Excel?

To create a pivot table in Excel, select the data that you want to summarize and then click on the PivotTable button on the Insert tab of the Ribbon. Follow the steps in the PivotTable wizard to set up your pivot table.

26. What is a chart in Excel?

A chart is a graphical representation of data in Excel that allows you to visualize trends and patterns.

27. How do you create a chart in Excel?

To create a chart in Excel, select the data that you want to include in the chart and then click on the desired chart type on the Insert tab of the Ribbon. Follow the steps in the Chart Wizard to customize your chart.

28. What is a filter in Excel?

A filter is a tool in Excel that allows you to display only the data that meets specific criteria.

29. How do you apply a filter in Excel?

To apply a filter in Excel, select the data that you want to filter and then click on the Filter button on the Data tab of the Ribbon. Follow the steps in the Filter dialog box to set up your filter.

30. What is a validation rule in Excel?

A validation rule is a feature in Excel that allows you to control what data can be entered into a cell.

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31. How do you create a validation rule in Excel?

To create a validation rule in Excel, select the cell where you want to apply the rule and then click on the Data Validation button on the Data tab of the Ribbon. Follow the steps in the Data Validation dialog box to set up your validation rule.

32. What is a named range in Excel?

A named range is a group of cells in Excel that have been given a descriptive name.

33. How do you create a named range in Excel?

To create a named range in Excel, select the cells that you want to name and then click on the Define Name button on the Formulas tab of the Ribbon. Follow the steps in the Define Name dialog box to set up your named range.

34. What is a macro in Excel?

A macro is a series of commands and actions that can be recorded and then played back in Excel.

35. How do you create a macro in Excel?

To create a macro in Excel, click on the Developer tab of the Ribbon and then click on the Record Macro button. Follow the steps in the Record Macro dialog box to record your macro.

36. What is a relative cell reference in Excel?

A relative cell reference is a cell reference in a formula that is relative to the position of the formula. For example, if you copy a formula that contains a relative cell reference from one cell to another, the cell references in the formula will adjust based on their new location.

37. What is an absolute cell reference in Excel?

An absolute cell reference is a cell reference in a formula that does not change when the formula is copied to another cell. An absolute cell reference is indicated by a dollar sign ($) before the column and/or row reference.

38. What is a mixed cell reference in Excel?

A mixed cell reference is a cell reference in a formula that has either an absolute column reference or an absolute row reference, but not both. For example, $A1 is a mixed cell reference.

39. What is the difference between a formula and a function in Excel?

A formula is an equation that performs calculations on the data in your Excel spreadsheet, while a function is a pre-built formula that performs a specific calculation in Excel.

40. What is a nested function in Excel?

A nested function is a function that is used as an argument inside another function in Excel.

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41. What is the CONCATENATE function in Excel?

The CONCATENATE function in Excel is used to combine two or more text strings into a single cell.

42. How do you use the CONCATENATE function in Excel?

To use the CONCATENATE function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “CONCATENATE(” followed by the text strings that you want to combine and close the parentheses.

43. What is the VLOOKUP function in Excel?

The VLOOKUP function in Excel is used to search for a specific value in a table and return a corresponding value in the same row.

44. How do you use the VLOOKUP function in Excel?

To use the VLOOKUP function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “VLOOKUP(” followed by the value that you want to search for, the range of cells that contains the lookup table, the column number that contains the value to return, and the “FALSE” argument to indicate an exact match.

45. What is the HLOOKUP function in Excel?

The HLOOKUP function in Excel is similar to the VLOOKUP function, but it searches for a specific value in the first row of a table and returns a corresponding value in the same column.

46. How do you use the HLOOKUP function in Excel?

To use the HLOOKUP function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “HLOOKUP(” followed by the value that you want to search for, the range of cells that contains the lookup table, the row number that contains the value to return, and the “FALSE” argument to indicate an exact match.

47. What is the IF function in Excel?

The IF function in Excel is used to test a condition and return one value if the condition is true and another value if the condition is false.

48. How do you use the IF function in Excel?

To use the IF function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “IF(” followed by the condition to test, the value to return if the condition is true, and the value to return if the condition is false.

49. What is the COUNTIF function in Excel?

The COUNTIF function in Excel is used to count the number of cells in a range that meet a specific condition.

50. How do you use the COUNTIF function in Excel?

To use the COUNTIF function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “COUNTIF(” followed by the range of cells you want to count and the condition to test.

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51. What is the SUMIF function in Excel?

The SUMIF function in Excel is used to add up the values in a range of cells that meet a specific condition.

52. How do you use the SUMIF function in Excel?

To use the SUMIF function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “SUMIF(” followed by the range of cells that you want to add up, the condition to test, and the range of cells to add up.

53. What is the AVERAGEIF function in Excel?

The AVERAGEIF function in Excel is used to calculate the average of the values in a range of cells that meet a specific condition.

54. How do you use the AVERAGEIF function in Excel?

To use the AVERAGEIF function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “AVERAGEIF(” followed by the range of cells that you want to average, the condition to test, and the range of cells to average.

55. What is the MIN function in Excel?

The MIN function in Excel is used to find the smallest value in a range of cells.

56. How do you use the MIN function in Excel?

To use the MIN function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “MIN(” followed by the range of cells that you want to find the minimum value for.

57. What is the MAX function in Excel?

The MAX function in Excel is used to find the largest value in a range of cells.

58. How do you use the MAX function in Excel?

To use the MAX function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “MAX(” followed by the range of cells that you want to find the maximum value for.

59. What is the ROUND function in Excel?

The ROUND function in Excel is used to round a number to a specific number of decimal places.

60. How do you use the ROUND function in Excel?

To use the ROUND function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “ROUND(” followed by the number that you want to round and the number of decimal places to round to.

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61. What is the ROUNDUP function in Excel?

The ROUNDUP function in Excel is used to round a number up to a specific number of decimal places.

62. How do you use the ROUNDUP function in Excel?

To use the ROUNDUP function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “ROUNDUP(” followed by the number that you want to round up and the number of decimal places to round to.

63. What is the ROUNDDOWN function in Excel?

The ROUNDDOWN function in Excel is used to round a number down to a specific number of decimal places.

64. How do you use the ROUNDDOWN function in Excel?

To use the ROUNDDOWN function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “ROUNDDOWN(” followed by the number that you want to round down and the number of decimal places to round to.

65. What is the TRIM function in Excel?

The TRIM function in Excel is used to remove extra spaces from text strings.

66. How do you use the TRIM function in Excel?

To use the TRIM function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “TRIM(” followed by the text string that you want to trim and close the parentheses.

67. What is the LEN function in Excel?

The LEN function in Excel is used to count the number of characters in a text string.

68. How do you use the LEN function in Excel?

To use the LEN function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “LEN(” followed by the text string that you want to count and close the parentheses.

69. What is the LEFT function in Excel?

The LEFT function in Excel is used to extract a specific number of characters from the beginning of a text string.

70. How do you use the LEFT function in Excel?

To use the LEFT function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “LEFT(” followed by the text string that you want to extract from, the number of characters to extract, and close the parentheses.

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71. What is the RIGHT function in Excel?

The RIGHT function in Excel is used to extract a specific number of characters from the end of a text string.

72. How do you use the RIGHT function in Excel?

To use the RIGHT function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “RIGHT(” followed by the text string that you want to extract from, the number of characters to extract, and close the parentheses.

73. What is the MID function in Excel?

The MID function in Excel is used to extract a specific number of characters from the middle of a text string.

74. How do you use the MID function in Excel?

To use the MID function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “MID(” followed by the text string that you want to extract from, the starting position of the extraction, the number of characters to extract, and close the parentheses.

75. What is the CONCAT function in Excel?

The CONCAT function in Excel is used to combine two or more text strings into a single cell, similar to the CONCATENATE function.

76. How do you use the CONCAT function in Excel?

To use the CONCAT function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “CONCAT(” followed by the text strings that you want to combine and close the parentheses.

77. What is the SUBSTITUTE function in Excel?

The SUBSTITUTE function in Excel is used to replace one text string with another within a larger text string.

78. How do you use the SUBSTITUTE function in Excel?

To use the SUBSTITUTE function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “SUBSTITUTE(” followed by the text string that you want to replace, the new text string, the text string that you want to replace it with, and the instance number of the replacement, and close the parentheses.

79. What is the FIND function in Excel?

The FIND function in Excel is used to find the position of a specific character or text string within a larger text string.

80. How do you use the FIND function in Excel?

To use the FIND function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “FIND(” followed by the character or text string that you want to find, the text string that you want to search within, and the starting position of the search (optional), and close the parentheses.

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81. What is the REPLACE function in Excel?

The REPLACE function in Excel is used to replace a specific number of characters in a text string with a new text string.

82. How do you use the REPLACE function in Excel?

To use the REPLACE function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “REPLACE(” followed by the text string that you want to replace characters within, the starting position of the replacement, the number of characters to replace, and the new text string to insert, and close the parentheses.

83. What is the UPPER function in Excel?

The UPPER function in Excel is used to convert text to uppercase letters.

84. How do you use the UPPER function in Excel?

To use the UPPER function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “UPPER(” followed by the text string that you want to convert to uppercase letters and close the parentheses.

85. What is the LOWER function in Excel?

The LOWER function in Excel is used to convert text to lowercase letters.

86. How do you use the LOWER function in Excel?

To use the LOWER function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “LOWER(” followed by the text string that you want to convert to lowercase letters and close the parentheses.

87. What is the PROPER function in Excel?

The PROPER function in Excel is used to convert text to proper case, which capitalizes the first letter of each word.

88. How do you use the PROPER function in Excel?

To use the PROPER function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “PROPER(” followed by the text string that you want to convert to proper case and close the parentheses.

89. What is the LEFTB function in Excel?

The LEFTB function in Excel is similar to the LEFT function, but it is used to extract a specific number of bytes from a text string instead of characters. This function is useful for working with non-Unicode languages that use double-byte character sets.

90. How do you use the LEFTB function in Excel?

To use the LEFTB function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “LEFTB(” followed by the text string that you want to extract from, the number of bytes to extract, and close the parentheses.

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91. What is the RIGHTB function in Excel?

The RIGHTB function in Excel is similar to the RIGHT function, but it is used to extract a specific number of bytes from a text string instead of characters. This function works with non-Unicode languages that use double-byte character sets.

92. How do you use the RIGHTB function in Excel?

To use the RIGHTB function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “RIGHTB(” followed by the text string that you want to extract from, the number of bytes to extract, and close the parentheses.

93. What is the LENB function in Excel?

The LENB function in Excel is similar to the LEN function, but it counts the number of bytes in a text string instead of characters. This function is useful for working with non-Unicode languages that use double-byte character sets.

94. How do you use the LENB function in Excel?

To use the LENB function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “LENB(” followed by the text string that you want to count the bytes for and close the parentheses.

95. What is the CONCATENATEX function in Excel?

The CONCATENATEX function in Excel is used to combine values from a column into a single text string.

96. How do you use the CONCATENATEX function in Excel?

To use the CONCATENATEX function in Excel, start by typing the equals sign (=) in the cell where you want to display the result. Then, type “CONCATENATEX(” followed by the delimiter (optional), the column that contains the values to concatenate, and close the parentheses.

97. What is conditional formatting in Excel?

Conditional formatting in Excel is a feature that allows you to apply formatting to cells based on their values or the values of other cells in your spreadsheet.

98. How do you use conditional formatting in Excel?

To use conditional formatting in Excel, select the cells you want to apply formatting to, then go to the Home tab on the ribbon and click on the “Conditional Formatting” button. From there, you can choose from various formatting options and set the conditions you want to trigger the formatting.

99. What is a pivot table in Excel?

A pivot table in Excel is a powerful tool for summarizing and analyzing large amounts of data. It allows you to create custom reports by grouping and aggregating data based on different criteria.

100. How do you create a pivot table in Excel?

To create a pivot table in Excel, select the data you want to summarize. Then, go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click the “PivotTable” button. From there, you can choose the pivot table’s location, the fields you want to include, and the criteria for grouping and summarizing the data.

Navigating through the hiring process for roles that require technical proficiency in Microsoft Excel often involves a series of tailored interview questions. Candidates might encounter basic Excel interview questions that gauge their comfort with the software, while more specific interview questions excel skills will delve into the depth of their expertise, such as knowledge of advanced functions and the ability to create complex formulas. Interview questions on excel formulas, for instance, assess the applicant’s ability to perform data analysis tasks efficiently.

Moreover, interview questions about Excel experience are designed to understand how the candidate has utilized Excel in their past roles. For example, excel test questions with answers might include scenarios where the interviewee must demonstrate their ability to use Excel in real-time, often via an excel interview test example. The top excel interview questions often revolve around problem-solving and data management, which are crucial for many positions.

Furthermore, excel test questions and answers for interview are typically part of a practical test, and basic interview questions in excel aim to establish a foundational understanding of the software. To prepare, candidates might seek out resources like interview questions in excel with answer guides or excel interview questions and answers pdfs. It’s also common for job seekers, especially freshers, to look for interview questions in excel for freshers to get a sense of what entry-level questions they might face.

In preparation, candidates often review common excel interview questions and advanced excel interview questions and answers, to ensure they are well-versed in both the basics and more intricate aspects of the software. Interview questions regarding excel could range from simple tasks to complex problem-solving scenarios. Resources like the Top 20 interview questions in excel or the Top 10 interview questions in excel can offer a focused study guide. Lastly, interview questions in excel pdf materials are widely sought after for convenient, offline study.

final Thoughts

In conclusion, our blog post on “Top 100 Interview Questions and Answers for Microsoft Excel” provides a comprehensive list of interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next Excel-related interview. With questions ranging from basic to advanced topics, and specific questions for freshers and data analysts, we’ve got you covered no matter your level of Excel proficiency. Plus, our Excel interview questions and answers PDF makes it easy for you to have a handy reference during your interview preparation. Remember, proficiency in Excel is a highly sought-after skill in the business world, and our blog post provides all the essential knowledge and confidence you need to ace your next interview. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to impress your interviewer and land your dream job. Start preparing today with our comprehensive list of Excel interview questions and answers!

FAQs

What are the basic Excel questions asked in an interview?

Basic Excel interview questions often include:
Can you describe what a spreadsheet is and its primary uses in Excel?
How do you format cells in Excel to change the date, number, currency, or text formatting?
What are the basic mathematical functions in Excel, and how do you use them?
How do you create and modify charts in Excel?
Can you explain the difference between relative and absolute cell references?
These questions assess your fundamental knowledge and comfort with Excel’s primary features.

What are the 5 functions in Excel?

Five commonly used functions in Excel are:
SUM(): Adds all the numbers in a range of cells.
AVERAGE(): Calculates the mean of a group of numbers.
IF(): Performs a logical comparison between a value and what you expect by testing for a condition and returning one result if true and another if false.
VLOOKUP(): Looks for a value in the leftmost column of a table and then returns a value in the same row from a column you specify.
CONCATENATE() or CONCAT(): Joins two or more text strings into one string.
These functions cover a broad range of tasks that can be performed in Excel.

What is basic in MS Excel?

The basics of MS Excel include:
Understanding the Excel interface, including ribbons and tabs.
Entering and formatting data in cells.
Basic calculations and building formulas.
Creating and formatting simple spreadsheets.
Managing data through sorting and filtering.
Basic data visualization using charts and graphs.
Utilizing simple functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and MIN/MAX.
Mastering these basics is essential for any Excel user.

What is an Excel formula?

An Excel formula is an expression that operates on values in a range of cells or a single cell. It is used for performing numerical calculations, data analysis, data processing, and complex mathematical operations. Formulas always start with an equal sign (=), which can be followed by numbers, mathematical operators (like a plus or minus sign), and functions, which can range from simple sums to complex statistical analyses.

How can I look up information in Excel using a formula?

To look up information in Excel, you can use various lookup formulas, such as:
VLOOKUP(): Searches for a value in the first column of a table and returns a value in the same row from the specified column.
HLOOKUP(): Searches for a value in the first row of a table and returns a value in the same column from the specified row.
INDEX() and MATCH(): Used together, these functions provide a more flexible way to retrieve a value from a specific position in a table based on certain criteria.

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