Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs INDEX vs LOOKUP

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

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

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

XLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

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

LOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Lookup

Functions for finding and retrieving specific data

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

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Excel 2019

XLOOKUP was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Excel 2.0

LOOKUP was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release 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

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

XLOOKUP

Advanced

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

INDEX

Advanced

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

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

XLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

INDEX

Array

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

Range

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

LOOKUP

Number

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

Text

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

Array

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

Excel 2016

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

INDEX is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

LOOKUP

Excel 2016

LOOKUP is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

LOOKUP 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

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

INDEX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

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

Number

XLOOKUP accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

INDEX

Array

INDEX accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Number

INDEX accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

LOOKUP

Array

LOOKUP accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Range

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

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

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

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
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

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data