Compact mode

MATCH vs FORECAST vs HLOOKUP

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

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

MATCH

Lookup & Reference

MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical

FORECAST belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

HLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

HLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

MATCH

Retrieval

MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

FORECAST

Calculation

FORECAST performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

HLOOKUP

Retrieval

HLOOKUP 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

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

HLOOKUP

Horizontal Data Lookup

HLOOKUP is known for Horizontal Data Lookup.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

MATCH

Excel 3.0

MATCH was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

FORECAST

Excel 97

FORECAST was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

Excel 95

HLOOKUP was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method

HLOOKUP

Often confused with VLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

MATCH

The function that plays hide and seek

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

HLOOKUP

The forgotten sibling of VLOOKUP

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

MATCH

Intermediate

MATCH has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

FORECAST

Advanced

FORECAST has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

Intermediate

HLOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

MATCH

Text

MATCH accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

Text

HLOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.
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

FORECAST

Web Excel

FORECAST 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

3

MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

FORECAST

3

FORECAST needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

HLOOKUP

4

HLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

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

Array

MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

FORECAST

Array

FORECAST accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

HLOOKUP

Range

HLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

Text

HLOOKUP 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

FORECAST

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results

Trend Analysis

Professional

Scientific Prediction

Based On Historical Data

Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data

HLOOKUP

Flexible Horizontal Search

Good For Wide Datasets
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

MATCH

Requires Sorted Data

Complex Syntax

Requires Exact Matches

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers

HLOOKUP

Limited To Horizontal Data

Less Common Than VLOOKUP