Compact mode

FILTER vs SORT vs INDEX

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

FILTER

Database

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

SORT

Database

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

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

INDEX 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

FILTER

Manipulation

FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

SORT

Manipulation

SORT performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

INDEX

Retrieval

INDEX 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

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.

SORT

Business Managers

SORT 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.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

FILTER

Data Analysis

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

SORT

Data Analysis

SORT 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.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

SORT

Dynamic Sorting

SORT is known for Dynamic Sorting.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

FILTER

Excel 2019

FILTER was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

SORT

Excel 2019

SORT was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 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.
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

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering

SORT

First dynamic array sorting function

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

SORT

The librarian of Excel functions

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

FILTER

Advanced

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

SORT

Intermediate

SORT 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.

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

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
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

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

INDEX

Excel 2016

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

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

FILTER

Excel Online

FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

SORT

Excel Online

SORT runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

SORT

1

SORT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

INDEX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

FILTER

Range

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

Array

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

Boolean

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

SORT

Range

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

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

FILTER

Dynamic Filtering

Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria

Multiple Criteria

Flexible Output

Returns Dynamic Arrays

Flexible Filtering

SORT

Automatic Sorting

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes

Multiple Columns

Automatic Updates

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
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

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

SORT

Requires Modern Excel

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

Space Requirements

Resource Intensive

Functions that consume significant computer memory and processing power Click to see all.

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve