XLOOKUP vs INDEX_MATCH vs SUBSTITUTE
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XLOOKUP vs INDEX_MATCH vs SUBSTITUTE

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
    XLOOKUP
    • Lookup & Reference
      XLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Lookup & Reference
      INDEX_MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data

  • Operation Type 🔧
    Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs
    XLOOKUP
    • Retrieval
      XLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Retrieval
      INDEX_MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Manipulation
      SUBSTITUTE 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
    XLOOKUP
    • Dynamic Array Support
      XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Two-Way Lookup Power
      INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Replace Specific Text
      SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    XLOOKUP
    • First major update to lookup functions in 20 years
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Originally designed for mail merge operations

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    XLOOKUP
    • Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024
    INDEX_MATCH
    • The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Find and replace's overachieving cousin

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    XLOOKUP
    INDEX_MATCH
    SUBSTITUTE

  • 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
    XLOOKUP
    • Microsoft 365
      XLOOKUP is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Excel 2016
      SUBSTITUTE is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      SUBSTITUTE is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

  • 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
    XLOOKUP
    • Excel Online
      XLOOKUP runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

  • Required Arguments Count 🔢
    Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly
    For 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
    XLOOKUP
    • Range
      XLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      XLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Range
      INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Array
      INDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE 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
    XLOOKUP
    • Dynamic Array Support
      Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling
    • Handles Errors Gracefully
    • Bi-Directional Lookup
    INDEX_MATCH
    • More Flexible Than VLOOKUP
    • Can Search Both Ways
    • Better Performance
    • Column Independent
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Multiple Replacements
    • Case Sensitive
    • Precise

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    XLOOKUP
    • Complex Syntax For Beginners
    • Limited Backward Compatibility
    • Not Available In Older Versions
    • Complex For Beginners
    INDEX_MATCH
    • Requires Two Functions
    • Steeper Learning Curve
    • Complex Syntax
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Requires Exact Match
    • Complex Syntax

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to XLOOKUP
MATCH
Known for Position Finding
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP
FILTER
Known for Advanced Filtering
INDEX
Known for Advanced Data Retrieval
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
HLOOKUP
Known for Horizontal Data Lookup
🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
LOOKUP
Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations