SEARCH

Syntax:

SEARCH ( string-1 , string-2 [ , start-pos ] )

Description: Performs a case-insensitive search for the first occurrence of string-1 in string-2, starting at character position start-pos within string-2. (SEARCH is intended for use with languages that use the single-byte character set (SBCS), whereas SEARCHB3.17.7.283) is intended for use with languages that use the double-byte character set (DBCS).)

Arguments:

Name

Type

Description

string-1

text

Designate the string to be searched for within the string designated by string-2. string-1 can contain the following wildcard characters: question mark (?) and asterisk (*). A question mark matches any single character; an asterisk matches any sequence of characters. To search for an actual question mark or asterisk, that character shall be preceded by a tilde (~).

string-2

text

start-pos

number

The number of the start position within string-2 for which string-1 is to be searched. The start position of the first character is 1. If omitted, a position of 1 shall be assumed. start-pos shall be at least 0.

Return Type and Value: number – The start position of the first occurrence of string-1 in string-2, starting at character position start-pos within string-2. If string-1 is an empty string, it shall always be found in any string-2 at position start-pos, or at position 1 if start-pos is omitted.

However, if

  • string-1 is not found within string-2, #VALUE! is returned.

  • start-pos designates a position outside string-2, #VALUE! is returned.

example: