ISNUMBER vs VLOOKUP vs INDIRECT
Compact mode

ISNUMBER vs VLOOKUP 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 types
    ISNUMBER
    • Information
      ISNUMBER belongs to the Information category. Excel functions that provide information about cells and data
    VLOOKUP
    • Lookup & Reference
      VLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    INDIRECT
    • Lookup & Reference
      INDIRECT 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
    ISNUMBER
    VLOOKUP
    • Retrieval
      VLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    INDIRECT
    • Retrieval
      INDIRECT performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

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

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    ISNUMBER
    • Used over 1 billion times daily
    VLOOKUP
    • Often confused with HLOOKUP
    INDIRECT
    • Can create circular references easily

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    ISNUMBER
    • The bouncer of Excel functions - strictly checks IDs
    VLOOKUP
    • The function everyone pretends to understand
    INDIRECT
    • The function that makes Excel question its life choices

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    For all*
    ISNUMBER
    • Number
      ISNUMBER accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
    VLOOKUP
    • Number
      VLOOKUP accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

  • 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
    ISNUMBER
    • Microsoft 365
      ISNUMBER is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    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
    ISNUMBER
    • Web Excel
      ISNUMBER 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
    ISNUMBER
    VLOOKUP
    INDIRECT

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    For all*
    • Text
      Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    ISNUMBER
    • Number
      ISNUMBER accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    VLOOKUP
    • Range
      VLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • 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

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to ISNUMBER
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
ROW
Known for Row Number Retrieval
⭐ is rated higher 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
FORMULATEXT
Known for Formula Inspection
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
🔢 needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈 is more versatile than ISNUMBER
⭐ is rated higher than ISNUMBER
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
🔢 needs fewer arguments than ISNUMBER
📈 is more versatile than ISNUMBER
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
📈 is more versatile than ISNUMBER
⭐ is rated higher than ISNUMBER