use strict; my $str = 'MySql'; while () { next if index ($_, $str) == -1; split(/\|/); for (0..6) { print "String \"$str\" found in field $_ of line " . ($.-1) . "\n" if index($_[$_], $str) != -1; } } __DATA__ Test|Subject|test@subject.com|Male|Perl-Database|good|on| My|Tester|my@tester.com|Female|Perl-Database|very good|on| Blank|Worker|blank@worker.com|Male|MySql-Database|the best!|off| Someone|Somewhere|someone@somewhere.com|Female|Mysql-Database|great|off| Adding|Test|add@test.com|Male|Perl-Database|Great product!|on|