Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs FILTER vs SORT

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 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.

SORT

Database

SORT 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 Click to see all.

FILTER

Manipulation

FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

SORT

Manipulation

SORT performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways 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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

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.

FILTER

Data Analysis

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

SORT

Data Analysis

SORT 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.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

SORT

Dynamic Sorting

SORT is known for Dynamic Sorting.

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

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering

SORT

First dynamic array sorting function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

SORT

The librarian 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.

FILTER

Advanced

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

SORT

Intermediate

SORT 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 Click to see all.

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 Click to see all.

SORT

Array

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

Range

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

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

SORT

1

SORT needs 1 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 Click to see all.

Number

XLOOKUP accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs Click to see all.

FILTER

Array

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

Boolean

FILTER 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

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling Click to see all.

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

FILTER

Dynamic Filtering

Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria Click to see all.

Multiple Criteria

Flexible Output

Returns Dynamic Arrays

Flexible Filtering

SORT

Automatic Sorting

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes Click to see all.

Multiple Columns

Automatic Updates
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

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

SORT

Requires Modern Excel

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

Space Requirements

Resource Intensive

Functions that consume significant computer memory and processing power Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to XLOOKUP

Known for Duplicate Removal

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Modern Text Joining

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Dynamic Number Series

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

📈 is more versatile than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

🛠 is more reliable than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER

Known for Advanced Data Retrieval

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

Known for PivotTable Data Extraction

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

🛠 is more reliable than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER