Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs VLOOKUP vs DCOUNT

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.

VLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

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

DCOUNT

Database

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

VLOOKUP

Retrieval

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

DCOUNT

Calculation

DCOUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

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.

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.
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.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

DCOUNT

Database Operations

DCOUNT is known for Database Operations.

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.

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

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

DCOUNT

Excel 95

DCOUNT 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_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP

DCOUNT

Was created before SQL became popular
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

DCOUNT

The forgotten cousin of COUNT

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.

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

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

DCOUNT

Advanced

DCOUNT 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

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

DCOUNT

Number

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

Array

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

Range

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

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 2016

INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

Microsoft 365

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

VLOOKUP

Excel 2016

VLOOKUP is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

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

DCOUNT

Excel 97

DCOUNT is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 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

INDEX_MATCH

Web Excel

INDEX_MATCH 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_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.

DCOUNT

3

DCOUNT needs 3 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

INDEX_MATCH

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

VLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

Boolean

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

DCOUNT

Text

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

Criteria

DCOUNT accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations

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

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business

DCOUNT

Powerful Database Functionality

Specific Criteria Handling

Powerful For Database Operations

Flexible Criteria
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

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

DCOUNT

Complex Syntax

Limited Visibility

Limited To Database Ranges

Functions that only work with database-style ranges, limiting data structure options Click to see all.