Compact mode

IF vs MATCH 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

IF

Logical

IF belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

MATCH

Lookup & Reference

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

IF

Comparison

IF performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

MATCH

Retrieval

MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources 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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

IF

Administrative Staff

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

VLOOKUP

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

IF

Conditional Logic

IF is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.

MATCH

Data Lookup

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

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

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

Data Analysis

VLOOKUP 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

IF

Conditional Statements

IF is known for Conditional Statements.

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

IF

Excel 2.0

IF was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

MATCH

Excel 3.0

MATCH was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 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

IF

Most nested function

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

IF

Making simple decisions complicated

MATCH

The function that plays hide and seek

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

IF

Simple

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

MATCH

Intermediate

MATCH has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various 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

IF

Boolean

IF accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values Click to see all.

MATCH

Text

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

Number

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

Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online 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
Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

IF

3

IF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

MATCH

3

MATCH needs 3 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*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

IF

Boolean

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

MATCH

Range

MATCH accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

Array

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

VLOOKUP

Range

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

IF

Simple Logic Implementation

Versatile

Flexible

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn Click to see all.

MATCH

Flexible Matching

Works With INDEX

Versatile Search

Fast

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

IF

Nested IFs Can Be Complex

Functions where multiple IF statements become difficult to manage and understand Click to see all.

Limited Conditions

Nested IFs Get Complex

MATCH

Requires Sorted Data

Complex Syntax

Requires Exact Matches

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

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to IF

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than IF

🛠 is more reliable than IF

⭐ is rated higher than IF

Known for Text Extraction

📊 is easier to use than IF

Known for Text Search And Position Finding

Known for Dynamic Array Support

Known for Any Condition Check

📊 is easier to use than IF

⚙ performs better than IF

🛠 is more reliable than IF

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than IF

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

Known for Replace Specific Text

Known for Extracting Text Segments

Known for Multiple Condition Check

📊 is easier to use than IF

⚙ performs better than IF

🛠 is more reliable than IF