Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs FILTER vs LET

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

XLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

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

FILTER

Database

FILTER belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.

LET

Engineering

LET belongs to the Engineering category. Excel functions designed for engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

XLOOKUP

Retrieval

XLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources Click to see all.

FILTER

Manipulation

FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

LET

Manipulation

LET performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

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

XLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

FILTER

Scientists

FILTER is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.

Business Managers

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

LET

Programmers

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Data Lookup

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

FILTER

Data Analysis

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

LET

Data Analysis

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

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

LET

Named Calculations

LET is known for Named Calculations.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2019

Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release
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

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering

LET

Enables functional programming in Excel
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

LET

Finally gives Excel users a reason to feel like real programmers

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Advanced

Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

XLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

XLOOKUP accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

FILTER

Array

FILTER accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

FILTER accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.

LET

Text

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

Number

LET accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

Boolean

LET accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values 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*

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

XLOOKUP

Excel 2019

XLOOKUP is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

FILTER

Excel 2019

FILTER is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.
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

XLOOKUP

Excel Online

XLOOKUP runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

Web Excel

XLOOKUP runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.

FILTER

Excel Online

FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

Web Excel

FILTER runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LET

2

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

XLOOKUP

Range

XLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

Text

XLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Number

XLOOKUP accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs Click to see all.

FILTER

Range

FILTER accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

Array

FILTER accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

Boolean

FILTER accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

LET

Text

LET accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Array

LET accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling Click to see all.

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

FILTER

Dynamic Filtering

Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria Click to see all.

Multiple Criteria

Flexible Output

Returns Dynamic Arrays

Flexible Filtering

LET

Improves Formula Readability

Reduces Calculation Overhead

Excel functions optimized for reduced calculation overhead improve spreadsheet performance Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited Backward Compatibility

Not Available In Older Versions

Complex For Beginners

FILTER

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Complex For Beginners

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Memory Intensive

LET

Limited Backward Compatibility

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to XLOOKUP

Known for Duplicate Removal

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Dynamic Sorting

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

Known for Modern Text Joining

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Dynamic Number Series

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

📈 is more versatile than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

🛠 is more reliable than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Advanced Data Retrieval

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

Known for PivotTable Data Extraction