Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs COUNTIF vs VLOOKUP

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

INDEX_MATCH

Lookup & Reference

INDEX_MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Statistical

COUNTIF belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

VLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
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 Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Aggregation

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

VLOOKUP

Retrieval

VLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources Click to see all.

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

INDEX_MATCH

Business Managers

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

COUNTIF

Statisticians

COUNTIF is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Administrative Staff

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

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

COUNTIF

Statistical Analysis

COUNTIF is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

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

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.

COUNTIF

Counting With Conditions

COUNTIF is known for Counting With Conditions.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 95

INDEX_MATCH was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Excel 97

COUNTIF was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

VLOOKUP was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version 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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

COUNTIF

Counting made fascinating

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

COUNTIF

The function that makes counting harder than it should be

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

INDEX_MATCH

Advanced

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

COUNTIF

Simple

COUNTIF has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP 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

INDEX_MATCH

Array

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

Range

INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Number

COUNTIF accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

Text

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

VLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

VLOOKUP accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations 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
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

COUNTIF

Excel Online

COUNTIF is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Excel Online

VLOOKUP is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.
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
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

INDEX_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNTIF

2

COUNTIF needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 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
Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

INDEX_MATCH

Array

INDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Text

COUNTIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Text

VLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Boolean

VLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

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

COUNTIF

Easy Conditional Counting

Flexible Criteria

Simple To Use

Efficient

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

COUNTIF

Limited To Single Condition

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.

Limited Criteria Options

VLOOKUP

Left To Right Only

Can Be Slow With Large Datasets

Functions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.

Right-Only Search

Functions that can only search from right to left in text Click to see all.

Can Be Slow