INDEX_MATCH vs TRANSPOSE vs FILTER
Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs TRANSPOSE vs FILTER

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
    TRANSPOSE
    • Lookup & Reference
      TRANSPOSE belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    FILTER
  • 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
    TRANSPOSE
    • Manipulation
      TRANSPOSE performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
    FILTER
    • Manipulation
      FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

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.
    TRANSPOSE
    • Converting Row Data To Columns
      TRANSPOSE is known for Converting Row Data To Columns.
    FILTER
    • Advanced Filtering
      FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡

    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas
    TRANSPOSE
    • Originally designed for matrix operations
    FILTER
    • Revolutionized Excel data filtering
  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣

    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    INDEX_MATCH
    • The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated
    TRANSPOSE
    • The function that helps you do yoga with your data
    FILTER
    • The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝

    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    For all*
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Range
      INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
    FILTER
    • Range
      FILTER accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
  • 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
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Excel 2016
      INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    • Microsoft 365
      INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    TRANSPOSE
    • Excel 2016
      TRANSPOSE is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      TRANSPOSE is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    FILTER
    • Microsoft 365
      FILTER is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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
    FILTER
    • Excel Online
      FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
  • Required Arguments Type 📊

    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    For all*
    • Range
      Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Array
      Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Number
      INDEX_MATCH accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    FILTER
    • Boolean
      FILTER accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making

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
    TRANSPOSE
    • Easy To Use
    • Visual Data Restructuring
    FILTER
    • Dynamic Filtering
      Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria
    • Multiple Criteria
    • Flexible Output
    • Returns Dynamic Arrays
    • Flexible Filtering
  • Cons

    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Requires Two Functions
    • Steeper Learning Curve
    • Complex Syntax
    TRANSPOSE
    • Must Be Entered As Array Formula
    • Size Limitations
    FILTER

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to INDEX_MATCH
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
performs better than TRANSPOSE
🛠 is more reliable than TRANSPOSE
is rated higher than TRANSPOSE
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📈 is more versatile than TRANSPOSE
🛠 is more reliable than TRANSPOSE
is rated higher than TRANSPOSE
ISBLANK
Known for Empty Cell Detection
performs better than TRANSPOSE
🛠 is more reliable than TRANSPOSE
LOWER
Known for Convert Text To Lowercase
performs better than TRANSPOSE
INT
Known for Rounding Down To Integers
performs better than TRANSPOSE
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
performs better than TRANSPOSE
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
performs better than TRANSPOSE
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
performs better than TRANSPOSE