Google Spreadsheets: Get column number by referencing column title

Question

In Google Spreadsheets I have a number of columns that I have given title to in Row 1.

Using a formula, I want to return the column number (i.e. 5, 6, 7, ...) for the column that has a specific title.

For example:
GetColumnNumber("Account Balance")

This GetColumnNumber() function above doesn't actually exist, but it demonstrates what I'm trying to do.

Is there a way to achieve the same result?

I've found this function reference which I've been trying to sift through:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=82712&version=static

Answer 1

I think this will do what you want. For example if your columns are A to D,

=iferror(match("Account Balance",A1:D1,0),"No match")

returns the column number or an error message.

Thanks for pointing out that function list. It will come in handy.

Answer 2

You were right on the money:

=COLUMN("Account Balance")

Returns the column number for the named range.