Compact mode

COLUMN vs ISNUMBER vs VLOOKUP

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

Basic Classification Comparison

Function Category 📊

Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function types

COLUMN

Lookup & Reference

COLUMN belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

ISNUMBER

Information

ISNUMBER belongs to the Information category. Excel functions that provide information about cells and data

VLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

VLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

COLUMN

Information

COLUMN performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

ISNUMBER

Comparison

ISNUMBER performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Retrieval

VLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

COLUMN

Programmers

COLUMN is designed for Programmers. Excel functions useful for programming and automation tasks Click to see all.

ISNUMBER

Engineers

ISNUMBER is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Business Managers

VLOOKUP is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

Administrative Staff

VLOOKUP is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

ISNUMBER

Conditional Logic

ISNUMBER is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

VLOOKUP is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

COLUMN

Column Number Retrieval

COLUMN is known for Column Number Retrieval.

ISNUMBER

Number Validation

ISNUMBER is known for Number Validation.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

COLUMN

Excel 2.0

COLUMN was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

ISNUMBER

Excel 2000

ISNUMBER was created in Excel 2000. Functions first released with Excel 2000 version Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

VLOOKUP was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

COLUMN

Essential for column calculations

ISNUMBER

Used over 1 billion times daily

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COLUMN

The vertical cousin of ROW function

ISNUMBER

The bouncer of Excel functions - strictly checks IDs

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

COLUMN

Simple

COLUMN has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

ISNUMBER

Simple

ISNUMBER has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

COLUMN

Range

COLUMN accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

ISNUMBER

Number

ISNUMBER accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

Text

ISNUMBER accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Text

VLOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Number

VLOOKUP accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

For all*

Excel 2019

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

ISNUMBER

Microsoft 365

ISNUMBER is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

VLOOKUP

Microsoft 365

VLOOKUP is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

VLOOKUP is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system

MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

COLUMN

~
ISNUMBER

1

ISNUMBER needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

COLUMN

Range

COLUMN accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

ISNUMBER

Number

ISNUMBER accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Text

ISNUMBER accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

VLOOKUP

Range

VLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

Text

VLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Number

VLOOKUP accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Boolean

VLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making