MATCH vs LOOKUP vs INDIRECT
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MATCH vs LOOKUP 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
    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
    MATCH
    • Position Finding
      MATCH is known for Position Finding.
    LOOKUP
    • Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups
      LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.
    INDIRECT
    • Dynamic Cell References
      INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    MATCH
    • Best friend of INDEX
    LOOKUP
    • Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
    INDIRECT
    • Can create circular references easily

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    MATCH
    • The function that plays hide and seek
    LOOKUP
    • Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues
    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*
    MATCH
    • Number
      MATCH accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
    LOOKUP

  • 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
    MATCH
    • Microsoft 365
      MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      MATCH 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
    MATCH
    • Web Excel
      MATCH runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
    LOOKUP
    • Web Excel
      LOOKUP 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
    MATCH
    LOOKUP
    INDIRECT

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    MATCH
    • Range
      MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      MATCH accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Number
      MATCH accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • Array
      MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    LOOKUP
    • Array
      LOOKUP accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    • Range
      LOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    INDIRECT
    • Text
      INDIRECT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    MATCH
    • Flexible Matching
    • Works With INDEX
    • Versatile Search
    • Fast
    LOOKUP
    • Simple To Understand
    • Works With Sorted Data
    INDIRECT
    • Flexible Referencing
    • Dynamic Range Selection

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    MATCH
    • Requires Sorted Data
    • Complex Syntax
    • Requires Exact Matches
    LOOKUP
    • Limited To One-Way Lookups
    • Requires Sorted Data
    INDIRECT
    • Performance Intensive
    • Complex Syntax

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to MATCH
HLOOKUP
Known for Horizontal Data Lookup
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LOOKUP
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
INDEX_MATCH
Known for Two-Way Lookup Power
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LOOKUP
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LOOKUP
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
MODE
Known for Finding Most Frequent Value
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
INDEX
Known for Advanced Data Retrieval
🔢 needs fewer arguments than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📊 is easier to use than LOOKUP
📈 is more versatile than LOOKUP
⚙ performs better than LOOKUP
🛠 is more reliable than LOOKUP
⭐ is rated higher than LOOKUP