Compact mode

GETPIVOTDATA vs LOOKUP vs INDIRECT

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

GETPIVOTDATA

Database

GETPIVOTDATA belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data 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.

INDIRECT

Lookup & Reference

INDIRECT 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

For all*

Retrieval

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

GETPIVOTDATA

Business Managers

GETPIVOTDATA is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making 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.

INDIRECT

Engineers

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

Data Analysis

GETPIVOTDATA is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing 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.

INDIRECT

Dynamic References

INDIRECT is used for Dynamic References. Functions for creating flexible cell references Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

PivotTable Data Extraction

GETPIVOTDATA is known for PivotTable Data Extraction.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

Excel 2002

GETPIVOTDATA was created in Excel 2002. Functions that debuted in Excel 2002 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.

INDIRECT

Excel 97

INDIRECT was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 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

GETPIVOTDATA

Created for PivotTable automation

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

The function that makes pivot tables less pivoty

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

INDIRECT

The function that makes Excel question its life choices

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

GETPIVOTDATA

Advanced

GETPIVOTDATA 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.

INDIRECT

Advanced

INDIRECT 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

GETPIVOTDATA

Range

GETPIVOTDATA 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.

Array

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

INDIRECT

Text

INDIRECT 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

LOOKUP

Excel 2013

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

INDIRECT

Excel 2013

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

LOOKUP

Web Excel

LOOKUP runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

GETPIVOTDATA

2

GETPIVOTDATA needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

INDIRECT

1

INDIRECT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

GETPIVOTDATA

Range

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

Text

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

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

INDIRECT

Text

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

Precise Data Retrieval

Automation Friendly

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

GETPIVOTDATA

Complex Syntax

PivotTable Dependency

Functions that only work in conjunction with PivotTables Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax