Compact mode
INDEX_MATCH vs ISNUMBER vs INDIRECT
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 typesINDEX_MATCH- Lookup & ReferenceINDEX_MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
ISNUMBER- InformationISNUMBER belongs to the Information category. Excel functions that provide information about cells and data
INDIRECT- Lookup & ReferenceINDIRECT 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 inputsINDEX_MATCH- RetrievalINDEX_MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
ISNUMBERINDIRECT- RetrievalINDIRECT 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 functionFor all*INDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECTPurpose 📝
Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- Data LookupINDEX_MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.
- Data AnalysisINDEX_MATCH is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
ISNUMBER- Data AnalysisISNUMBER is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Conditional LogicISNUMBER is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.
INDIRECT
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- Two-Way Lookup PowerINDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.
ISNUMBER- Number ValidationISNUMBER is known for Number Validation.
INDIRECT- Dynamic Cell ReferencesINDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas
ISNUMBER- Used over 1 billion times daily
INDIRECT- Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated
ISNUMBER- The bouncer of Excel functions - strictly checks IDs
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 effectivelyINDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECT
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersINDEX_MATCH- ArrayINDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
- RangeINDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
ISNUMBER- NumberISNUMBER accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
- TextISNUMBER accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.
INDIRECTVersion Compatibility 💻
Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.For all*- Excel 2019Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2016Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
- Excel 2013Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
INDEX_MATCH- Microsoft 365INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
ISNUMBER- Microsoft 365ISNUMBER 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 platformsFor all*- WindowsExcel functions optimized for Windows operating system
- MacOSExcel functions optimized for MacOS users
INDEX_MATCH- Web ExcelINDEX_MATCH runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
ISNUMBER- Web ExcelISNUMBER runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlyINDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECTRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionINDEX_MATCH- RangeINDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
- NumberINDEX_MATCH accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- ArrayINDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
ISNUMBER- NumberISNUMBER accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- TextISNUMBER accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
INDIRECT- TextINDIRECT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- More Flexible Than VLOOKUP
- Can Search Both Ways
- Better Performance
- Column Independent
ISNUMBER- Fast ExecutionFunctions that process data quickly and efficiently
- Simple Syntax
- Reliable Results
INDIRECT- Flexible Referencing
- Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionINDEX_MATCH- Requires Two Functions
- Steeper Learning Curve
- Complex Syntax
ISNUMBER- Limited To Number CheckingFunctions restricted to verifying if values are numbers without additional capabilities Click to see all.
- Binary Output Only
- No Customization
INDIRECT- Performance Intensive
- Complex Syntax
Ratings Comparison
Versatility Score 📈
Rating for function's adaptability to different scenariosINDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECTPerformance Score ⚙
Rating for function's execution speed and efficiencyINDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECTReliability Score 🛠
Rating for function's consistency and error handlingINDEX_MATCHISNUMBERINDIRECT
Alternatives to INDEX_MATCH
ISBLANK
Known for Empty Cell Detection
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
⭐
is rated higher than ISNUMBER
COUNTIF
Known for Counting With Conditions
🔢
needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢
needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
COLUMN
Known for Column Number Retrieval
⭐
is rated higher than ISNUMBER
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
⭐
is rated higher than ISNUMBER
DATEVALUE
Known for Text To Date Conversion
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
🔢
needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER
⭐
is rated higher than ISNUMBER
ROW
Known for Row Number Retrieval
⭐
is rated higher than ISNUMBER
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
🔢
needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈
is more versatile than ISNUMBER