Syntax or pattern
Return a range that is a number of rows and columns away from a starting cell.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])5 practical examples
Use OFFSET to find a product price
Return the matching product price from a lookup table.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.
Use OFFSET for employee details
Find a department, manager, or role from an employee ID.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.
Use OFFSET with a status table
Convert status codes into readable labels.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.
Use OFFSET to pull a category
Return a category for reporting and summaries.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.
Use OFFSET with imported data
Look up a value from an imported or shared tab.
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])Adjust the ranges, criteria and sheet names to match your workbook.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using lookup ranges and return ranges with different row counts.
- Leaving extra spaces in lookup values.
- Forgetting a fallback value when a lookup can be missing.
FAQ
What is this Google Sheets page for?
This page gives copy-ready examples for offset examples so you can understand the pattern and adapt it to real spreadsheet work.
Can I copy these formulas directly?
Yes. Use the copy buttons, then adjust sheet names, ranges, criteria and column references for your own file.
Why does my formula return an error?
The most common causes are mismatched ranges, missing quotes around text criteria, blank source data, or references that do not match your sheet layout.