Compact mode

COUNTIFS 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

COUNTIFS

Statistical

COUNTIFS belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

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

LOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

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

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

COUNTIFS

Calculation

COUNTIFS 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

COUNTIFS

Business Managers

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

Analysts

COUNTIFS is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting 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

COUNTIFS

Data Analysis

COUNTIFS 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

COUNTIFS

Multiple Criteria Counting

COUNTIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Counting.

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

COUNTIFS

Excel 2007

COUNTIFS was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 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

COUNTIFS

Enhanced version of COUNTIF

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNTIFS

The function that makes counting feel like detective work

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

COUNTIFS

Intermediate

COUNTIFS has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various 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

COUNTIFS

Range

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

Number

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

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

COUNTIFS

2

COUNTIFS needs 2 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

COUNTIFS

Range

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

Text

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

Number

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

INDEX

Array

INDEX accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Number

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

LOOKUP

Array

LOOKUP accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

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

COUNTIFS

Flexible Criteria Options

Multiple Conditions

Easy To Use

Handles Multiple Criteria

Flexible

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

COUNTIFS

Complex Syntax For Multiple Criteria

Performance Issues With Large Datasets

Limited To Equal Conditions Only

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data