What will the following formula return

What will the following formula return? =INDEX(A5:H448,5,6)
The number of characters across the given array in row 5, column 6.
The value of the cell in row 5, column 6 across the given array.
The value of the cell in row 6, column 5 across the given array.
The number of occurrences of the value in row 6, column 5 across the given array.

The correct answer and explanation is :

The correct answer is:

The value of the cell in row 5, column 6 across the given array.

Explanation:

The formula in question is:

=INDEX(A5:H448,5,6)

To understand what this formula returns, let’s break it down:

1. The `INDEX` Function:

The INDEX function in Excel is used to return the value of a cell at a specific row and column within a specified range or array.

The general syntax is:

INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])

array – the range of cells from which to retrieve a value.
row_num – the row number in the array from which to return a value.
column_num – the column number in the array from which to return a value.

2. Analyzing the Formula:

Array: A5:H448
This array spans from column A to H (8 columns) and from row 5 to 448 (444 rows total).
Row_num: 5
This refers to the 5th row within the specified array. Since the array starts at row 5 of the worksheet, row_num = 5 refers to row 9 of the worksheet.
Column_num: 6
This refers to the 6th column in the array. Since the array starts at column A, column 6 corresponds to column F.

3. Result of the Formula:

Therefore, the formula returns the value located at the intersection of the 5th row and 6th column within the array A5:H448.

This means it’s fetching the value in cell F9, since:

5 rows down from A5 = row 9
6 columns over from column A = column F

4. Elimination of Other Options:

“The number of characters…” – Incorrect. INDEX does not count characters.
“The value in row 6, column 5…” – Incorrect. This would be INDEX(A5:H448,6,5).
“The number of occurrences…” – Incorrect. INDEX does not count occurrences; COUNTIF or COUNTIFS would be used instead.

✅ Final Answer: