---
title: ES|QL LOCATE function
description: 
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/functions-operators/string-functions/locate
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# ES|QL LOCATE function
## Syntax

![Embedded](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/query-languages/esql/images/functions/locate.svg)


## Parameters

<definitions>
  <definition term="string">
    An input string
  </definition>
  <definition term="substring">
    A substring to locate in the input string
  </definition>
  <definition term="start">
    The start index
  </definition>
</definitions>


## Description

Returns an integer that indicates the position of a keyword substring within another string. Returns `0` if the substring cannot be found. Note that string positions start from `1`.

## Supported types


| string  | substring | start   | result  |
|---------|-----------|---------|---------|
| keyword | keyword   | integer | integer |
| keyword | keyword   |         | integer |
| keyword | text      | integer | integer |
| keyword | text      |         | integer |
| text    | keyword   | integer | integer |
| text    | keyword   |         | integer |
| text    | text      | integer | integer |
| text    | text      |         | integer |


## Example

```esql
ROW a = "hello"
| EVAL a_ll = LOCATE(a, "ll")
```


| a:keyword | a_ll:integer |
|-----------|--------------|
| hello     | 3            |