INDEX_MATCH vs SUBSTITUTE vs MATCH
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INDEX_MATCH vs SUBSTITUTE vs MATCH

Table of content

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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
    MATCH
    • Lookup & Reference
      MATCH 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Manipulation
      SUBSTITUTE performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
    MATCH
    • Retrieval
      MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

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.
    MATCH
    • Position Finding
      MATCH is known for Position Finding.

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
    MATCH
    • Best friend of INDEX

  • 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
    MATCH
    • The function that plays hide and seek

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    INDEX_MATCH
    SUBSTITUTE
    MATCH

  • 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
    MATCH
    • Microsoft 365
      MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      MATCH 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
    For 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_MATCH
    • Range
      INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • 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
    MATCH
    • Range
      MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      MATCH accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Array
      MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

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
    MATCH
    • Flexible Matching
    • Works With INDEX
    • Versatile Search
    • Fast

  • 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
    MATCH
    • Requires Sorted Data
    • Requires Exact Matches

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to INDEX_MATCH
INDEX
Known for Advanced Data Retrieval
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDEX_MATCH
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
XLOOKUP
Known for Dynamic Array Support
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than INDEX_MATCH
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
LOOKUP
Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups
OFFSET
Known for Dynamic Range Manipulation
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH
🛠 is more reliable than INDEX_MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than INDEX_MATCH
FILTER
Known for Advanced Filtering
📊 is easier to use than INDEX_MATCH