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INDEX vs INDIRECT vs OFFSET

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

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

INDIRECT

Engineers

INDIRECT is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.

OFFSET

Engineers

OFFSET is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

INDEX

Data Lookup

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

INDIRECT

Dynamic References

INDIRECT is used for Dynamic References. Functions for creating flexible cell references Click to see all.

OFFSET

Dynamic Ranges

OFFSET is used for Dynamic Ranges. Functions for handling flexible data ranges Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

OFFSET

Dynamic Range Manipulation

OFFSET is known for Dynamic Range Manipulation.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX

Excel 3.0

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

INDIRECT

Excel 97

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

OFFSET

Excel 3.0

OFFSET 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

Often used with MATCH function

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily

OFFSET

Essential for dynamic charts
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

INDIRECT

The function that makes Excel question its life choices

OFFSET

The parkour artist of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Advanced

Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

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 Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Text

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

OFFSET

Range

OFFSET 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
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

INDEX

Microsoft 365

INDEX is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform Click to see all.

Excel Online

INDEX 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

INDEX

Web Excel

INDEX runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

INDEX

3

INDEX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

INDIRECT

1

INDIRECT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

OFFSET

3

OFFSET needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

INDEX

Array

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

Number

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

INDIRECT

Text

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

OFFSET

Range

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

Number

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities Click to see all.

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching Click to see all.

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation Click to see all.

Flexible

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection

OFFSET

Flexible Range Selection

Functions that enable selecting dynamic ranges and cell references flexibly Click to see all.

Dynamic References

Functions that can automatically adjust cell references based on changes Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

For all*

Complex Syntax

INDEX

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

OFFSET

Volatile Calculation

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

INDEX

7

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

INDIRECT

6.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

OFFSET

6

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

INDEX

9.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

INDIRECT

9

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

OFFSET

9

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

INDEX

8.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

INDIRECT

6

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

OFFSET

6.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

INDEX

9

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

INDIRECT

7.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

OFFSET

7.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

INDEX

8.5

The overall score for INDEX is 8.5. Click to see all.

INDIRECT

7.3

The overall score for INDIRECT is 7.3. Click to see all.

OFFSET

7.3

The overall score for OFFSET is 7.3. Click to see all.

Alternatives to INDEX

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

Known for Position Finding

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

📈 is more versatile than INDEX

⚙ performs better than INDEX

🛠 is more reliable than INDEX

⭐ is rated higher than INDEX

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

⭐ is rated higher than INDEX

Known for Vertical Data Search

🔢 needs fewer arguments than INDEX

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

Known for Dynamic Array Support

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

⚙ performs better than INDEX

🛠 is more reliable than INDEX

⭐ is rated higher than INDEX

Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

Known for Conditional Statements

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

⚙ performs better than INDEX

🛠 is more reliable than INDEX

⭐ is rated higher than INDEX

Known for Counting With Conditions

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

Known for Calculate Loan Payments

📊 is easier to use than INDEX

⚙ performs better than INDEX

🛠 is more reliable than INDEX

⭐ is rated higher than INDEX

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