Summary

To get the address of a lookup result derived with the INDEX function, you can use the CELL function. In the example shown, the formula in cell G8 is:

=CELL("address",INDEX(B5:D11,MATCH(G6,B5:B11,0),2))

Which returns an address of $C$8, the address of the cell returned by INDEX.

Generic formula

=CELL("address",INDEX(range,row,col))

Explanation 

At the core, this is an INDEX and MATCH formula:

INDEX(B5:D11,MATCH(G6,B5:B11,0),2) // returns 60

However, although the result displays on the worksheet as 60, the INDEX function actually returns a reference to cell C8. Just like any other reference, Excel shows the value in the cell.

By wrapping INDEX in the CELL function, we can get Excel to show us the address to the cell returned by INDEX. After INDEX returns a reference, the formula resolves to:

=CELL("address",C8) // returns $C$8

and the CELL function returns the absolute address $C$8 as the final result.

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Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.