INDIRECT vs OFFSET vs DVAR
Compact mode

INDIRECT vs OFFSET vs DVAR

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
    INDIRECT
    • Lookup & Reference
      INDIRECT belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    OFFSET
    • Lookup & Reference
      OFFSET belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    DVAR
    • Statistical
      DVAR belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
  • Operation Type 🔧

    Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs
    INDIRECT
    • Retrieval
      INDIRECT performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    OFFSET
    • Retrieval
      OFFSET performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    DVAR
    • Calculation
      DVAR performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For

    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    INDIRECT
    • Dynamic Cell References
      INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.
    OFFSET
    • Dynamic Range Manipulation
      OFFSET is known for Dynamic Range Manipulation.
    DVAR
    • Database Variance
      DVAR is known for Database Variance.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡

    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    INDIRECT
    • Can create circular references easily
    OFFSET
    • Essential for dynamic charts
    DVAR
    • Statisticians favorite database function
  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣

    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    INDIRECT
    • The function that makes Excel question its life choices
    OFFSET
    • The parkour artist of Excel functions
    DVAR
    • Makes variance feel important

Usage Information Comparison

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝

    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    INDIRECT
    OFFSET
    • Range
      OFFSET accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
    DVAR
  • 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
    INDIRECT
    • Excel 2016
      INDIRECT is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      INDIRECT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    OFFSET
    • Excel 2016
      OFFSET is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      OFFSET is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    DVAR
    • Excel 97
      DVAR 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
  • Required Arguments Type 📊

    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    INDIRECT
    • Text
      INDIRECT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    OFFSET
    • Range
      OFFSET accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Number
      OFFSET accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    DVAR
    • Range
      DVAR accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      DVAR accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Criteria
      DVAR 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
    INDIRECT
    • Flexible Referencing
    • Dynamic Range Selection
    OFFSET
    • Flexible Range Selection
      Functions that enable selecting dynamic ranges and cell references flexibly
    • Dynamic References
      Functions that can automatically adjust cell references based on changes
    DVAR
    • Statistical Precision
    • Database Integration
    • Accurate Statistical Analysis
    • Database Compatible
  • Cons

    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    For all*
    • Complex Syntax
    INDIRECT
    • Performance Intensive
    OFFSET
    • Volatile Calculation
    DVAR

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to INDIRECT
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
MATCH
Known for Position Finding
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
LOOKUP
Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
INDEX_MATCH
Known for Two-Way Lookup Power
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
📈 is more versatile than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
ISNUMBER
Known for Number Validation
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
HLOOKUP
Known for Horizontal Data Lookup
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
INDEX
Known for Advanced Data Retrieval
🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDIRECT
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
📈 is more versatile than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
📊 is easier to use than INDIRECT
performs better than INDIRECT
🛠 is more reliable than INDIRECT
is rated higher than INDIRECT