VLOOKUP vs INDIRECT vs OFFSET
Compact mode

VLOOKUP vs INDIRECT vs OFFSET

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
    For all*
    • Lookup & Reference
      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
    For all*
    • Retrieval
      Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    VLOOKUP
    • Vertical Data Search
      VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.
    INDIRECT
    • Dynamic Cell References
      INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.
    OFFSET
    • Dynamic Range Manipulation
      OFFSET is known for Dynamic Range Manipulation.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    VLOOKUP
    • Often confused with HLOOKUP
    INDIRECT
    • Can create circular references easily
    OFFSET
    • Essential for dynamic charts

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    VLOOKUP
    • The function everyone pretends to understand
    INDIRECT
    • The function that makes Excel question its life choices
    OFFSET
    • The parkour artist of Excel functions

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    VLOOKUP
    INDIRECT
    OFFSET
    • Range
      OFFSET 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
    • Excel 2016
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    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
    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
    VLOOKUP
    INDIRECT
    OFFSET

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    VLOOKUP
    • Range
      VLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • 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
    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

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to VLOOKUP
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
GETPIVOTDATA
Known for PivotTable Data Extraction
🔢 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