SUBSTITUTE vs MATCH vs INDIRECT
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SUBSTITUTE vs MATCH 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
    MATCH
    • Lookup & Reference
      MATCH 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Manipulation
      SUBSTITUTE performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
    MATCH
    • Retrieval
      MATCH 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

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Replace Specific Text
      SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.
    MATCH
    • Position Finding
      MATCH is known for Position Finding.
    INDIRECT
    • Dynamic Cell References
      INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Originally designed for mail merge operations
    MATCH
    • Best friend of INDEX
    INDIRECT
    • Can create circular references easily

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Find and replace's overachieving cousin
    MATCH
    • The function that plays hide and seek
    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

  • 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Web Excel
      SUBSTITUTE runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
    MATCH
    • Web Excel
      MATCH 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    MATCH
    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
    • Text
      Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Number
      SUBSTITUTE accepts Number as input types 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
    • 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

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Multiple Replacements
    • Case Sensitive
    • Precise
    MATCH
    • Flexible Matching
    • Works With INDEX
    • Versatile Search
    • Fast
    INDIRECT
    • Flexible Referencing
    • Dynamic Range Selection

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    For all*
    • Complex Syntax
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Requires Exact Match
    MATCH
    • Requires Sorted Data
    • Requires Exact Matches
    INDIRECT
    • Performance Intensive

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUBSTITUTE
MID
Known for Extracting Text Segments
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
CLEAN
Known for Removing Non-Printable Characters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
TEXT
Known for Number Formatting
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
LOWER
Known for Convert Text To Lowercase
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
PROPER
Known for Capitalize First Letters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE