Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs MATCH vs FORECAST

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

INDEX_MATCH

Lookup & Reference

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

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
Operation Type 🔧

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

INDEX_MATCH

Retrieval

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

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

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

INDEX_MATCH

Business Managers

INDEX_MATCH is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

MATCH

Business Managers

MATCH is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

FORECAST

Financial Professionals

FORECAST is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

Scientists

FORECAST is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

INDEX_MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

Data Analysis

INDEX_MATCH is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

MATCH

Data Lookup

MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical Analysis

FORECAST is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Two-Way Lookup Power

INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 95

INDEX_MATCH was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

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.
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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

MATCH

The function that plays hide and seek

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

INDEX_MATCH

Advanced

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

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.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

INDEX_MATCH

Array

INDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

MATCH

Text

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

Number

MATCH accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

FORECAST

Number

FORECAST 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

INDEX_MATCH

Microsoft 365

INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

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

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

For all*

3
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

Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

INDEX_MATCH

Range

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

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

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
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

MATCH

Requires Sorted Data

Complex Syntax

Requires Exact Matches

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers