Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs UNIQUE vs FILTER

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

XLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

XLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets

UNIQUE

Database

UNIQUE belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.

FILTER

Database

FILTER belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.
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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

UNIQUE performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

FILTER

Manipulation

FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

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

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

UNIQUE

Administrative Staff

UNIQUE is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

FILTER

Scientists

FILTER is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Data Lookup

XLOOKUP is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

UNIQUE

Data Analysis

UNIQUE is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

FILTER

Data Analysis

FILTER is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

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.

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2019

Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release
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

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

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.

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

FILTER

Advanced

FILTER has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations 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

UNIQUE

Array

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

Range

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

FILTER

Array

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

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

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

Excel Online

Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

XLOOKUP

Web Excel

XLOOKUP runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

FILTER

Web Excel

FILTER 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

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
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

XLOOKUP

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

FILTER

Array

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

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

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes

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

XLOOKUP

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited Backward Compatibility

Not Available In Older Versions

Complex For Beginners

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

FILTER

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Complex For Beginners

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Memory Intensive