Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs SUBSTITUTE 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

INDEX_MATCH

Lookup & Reference

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

SUBSTITUTE

Text

SUBSTITUTE belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data

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

INDEX_MATCH

Retrieval

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

SUBSTITUTE

Manipulation

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

INDIRECT

Retrieval

INDIRECT 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

INDEX_MATCH

Business Managers

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

SUBSTITUTE

Administrative Staff

SUBSTITUTE is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management 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

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

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

Data Analysis

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

SUBSTITUTE

Text Manipulation

SUBSTITUTE is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content 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

INDEX_MATCH

Two-Way Lookup Power

INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.

SUBSTITUTE

Replace Specific Text

SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

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.

SUBSTITUTE

Excel 97

SUBSTITUTE was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version 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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

SUBSTITUTE

Originally designed for mail merge operations

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

SUBSTITUTE

Find and replace's overachieving cousin

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

INDEX_MATCH

Advanced

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

SUBSTITUTE

Intermediate

SUBSTITUTE 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

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

SUBSTITUTE

Text

SUBSTITUTE accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation 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

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
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_MATCH

Web Excel

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

SUBSTITUTE

Web Excel

SUBSTITUTE 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_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

SUBSTITUTE

3

SUBSTITUTE needs 3 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

INDEX_MATCH

Range

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

Number

INDEX_MATCH accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Array

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

SUBSTITUTE

Text

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

Text

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

Number

SUBSTITUTE accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

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

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

SUBSTITUTE

Multiple Replacements

Case Sensitive

Precise

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

For all*

Complex Syntax

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

SUBSTITUTE

Requires Exact Match

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive