INDEX()

The INDEX function returns the contents of a cell, specified by a row and column number or an optional range name.

Syntax

INDEX(reference;row;column;range)

reference is a cell reference, entered either directly or by specifying a range name. If the reference consists of multiple ranges, you must enclose the reference or range name in parentheses.

row (optional) represents the row number of the reference range, for which to return a value.

column (optional) represents the column number of the reference range, for which to return a value.

range (optional) represents the index of the subrange if referring to a multiple range.

In the OpenOffice.org Calc functions, parameters marked as "optional" can be left out only when no parameter follows. For example, in a function with four parameters, where the last two parameters are marked as "optional", you can leave out parameter 4 or parameters 3 and 4, but you cannot leave out parameter 3 alone.

Cell A7 contains the following formula =INDEX(A2:D5;3;4)

See screen shot below.

Notice the INDEX function returns the contents of row 3 and column 4 in the selected range. Not, the 3rd row and 4th column of the entire spreadsheet.