Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs COUNT vs VLOOKUP

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

INDEX_MATCH

Lookup & Reference

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

COUNT

Mathematical

COUNT belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

VLOOKUP 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

INDEX_MATCH

Retrieval

INDEX_MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

VLOOKUP

Retrieval

VLOOKUP 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

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

VLOOKUP

Administrative Staff

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

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

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

VLOOKUP 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

INDEX_MATCH

Two-Way Lookup Power

INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 95

INDEX_MATCH was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

COUNT

Excel 2.0

COUNT was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release 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.
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_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

INDEX_MATCH

Advanced

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

COUNT

Simple

COUNT has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP 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_MATCH

Array

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

Range

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

COUNT

Number

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

Array

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

Range

COUNT 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
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_MATCH

Microsoft 365

INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

INDEX_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

INDEX_MATCH

Array

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

COUNT

Array

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

VLOOKUP

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

COUNT

Fast And Efficient

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Widely Used

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

COUNT

Limited To Numbers Only

Ignores Text Cells

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