INDEX vs MATCH vs LOOKUP
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INDEX vs MATCH vs LOOKUP

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
    INDEX
    • Advanced Data Retrieval
      INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.
    MATCH
    • Position Finding
      MATCH is known for Position Finding.
    LOOKUP
    • Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups
      LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    INDEX
    • Often used with MATCH function
    MATCH
    • Best friend of INDEX
    LOOKUP
    • Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    INDEX
    • The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple
    MATCH
    • The function that plays hide and seek
    LOOKUP
    • Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

Technical Details Comparison

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    INDEX
    • Powerful With MATCH
      Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities
    • Flexible Lookup
      Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching
    • Very Flexible
    • Fast Performance
    • Powerful
      Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation
    • Flexible
    MATCH
    • Flexible Matching
    • Works With INDEX
    • Versatile Search
    • Fast
    LOOKUP
    • Simple To Understand
    • Works With Sorted Data

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    INDEX
    • Complex Syntax
    • Requires Understanding
    • Complex For Beginners
    • Requires Understanding Of Arrays
    • Learning Curve
    MATCH
    • Requires Sorted Data
    • Complex Syntax
    • Requires Exact Matches
    LOOKUP
    • Limited To One-Way Lookups
    • Requires Sorted Data

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to INDEX
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢 needs fewer arguments than MATCH
📈 is more versatile than MATCH
INDEX_MATCH
Known for Two-Way Lookup Power
📈 is more versatile than MATCH
⚙ performs better than MATCH
🛠 is more reliable than MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than MATCH
XLOOKUP
Known for Dynamic Array Support
📊 is easier to use than MATCH
📈 is more versatile than MATCH
⚙ performs better than MATCH
🛠 is more reliable than MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than MATCH
COUNTIF
Known for Counting With Conditions
📊 is easier to use than MATCH
⚙ performs better than MATCH
HLOOKUP
Known for Horizontal Data Lookup
🔢 needs fewer arguments than MATCH
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📊 is easier to use than MATCH
⚙ performs better than MATCH
🛠 is more reliable than MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than MATCH
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
📊 is easier to use than MATCH
⚙ performs better than MATCH
🛠 is more reliable than MATCH
⭐ is rated higher than MATCH
AVERAGEIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Based Average
FORECAST
Known for Linear Trend Prediction