Compact mode

INDEX vs VLOOKUP vs HLOOKUP

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

For all*

Lookup & Reference

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

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

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

VLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Administrative Staff

VLOOKUP is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

Financial Professionals

HLOOKUP 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

For all*

Data Lookup

Functions for finding and retrieving specific data

VLOOKUP

Data Analysis

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

HLOOKUP

Data Analysis

HLOOKUP 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

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

HLOOKUP

Horizontal Data Lookup

HLOOKUP is known for Horizontal Data Lookup.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX

Excel 3.0

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

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

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

HLOOKUP

Excel 95

HLOOKUP was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 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

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP

HLOOKUP

Often confused with VLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

HLOOKUP

The forgotten sibling of VLOOKUP

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

INDEX

Advanced

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

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

Intermediate

HLOOKUP 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

INDEX

Array

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

Range

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

VLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

HLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

VLOOKUP

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

VLOOKUP 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

INDEX

Web Excel

INDEX runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

VLOOKUP

Web Excel

VLOOKUP 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

INDEX

3

INDEX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

4

HLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

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

VLOOKUP

Range

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

Text

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

Boolean

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

HLOOKUP

Range

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

Text

HLOOKUP 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

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

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business

HLOOKUP

Flexible Horizontal Search

Good For Wide Datasets
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

VLOOKUP

Left To Right Only

Can Be Slow With Large Datasets

Functions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.

Right-Only Search

Functions that can only search from right to left in text Click to see all.

Can Be Slow

HLOOKUP

Limited To Horizontal Data

Less Common Than VLOOKUP