Compact mode

COUNT vs INDEX vs LOOKUP

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

COUNT

Mathematical

COUNT belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

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

LOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

LOOKUP 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

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

INDEX

Retrieval

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

LOOKUP

Retrieval

LOOKUP 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

COUNT

Business Managers

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

INDEX is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

COUNT

Data Analysis

COUNT is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

INDEX

Data Lookup

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

LOOKUP

Data Lookup

LOOKUP 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

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

COUNT

Excel 2.0

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

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Excel 2.0

LOOKUP was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release 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

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

COUNT

Simple

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

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP 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

For all*

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

COUNT

Number

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

Range

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

INDEX

Range

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

LOOKUP

Number

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

Text

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

INDEX

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

INDEX 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

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

INDEX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

COUNT

Number

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

Range

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

INDEX

Number

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

LOOKUP

Range

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNT

Fast And Efficient

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Widely Used

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation

Flexible

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

COUNT

Limited To Numbers Only

Ignores Text Cells

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data