Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs FILTER vs LOOKUP

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.

FILTER

Database

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

LOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

LOOKUP 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.

FILTER

Manipulation

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

LOOKUP

Retrieval

LOOKUP 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

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

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

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

Data Analysis

INDEX_MATCH 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.

LOOKUP

Data Lookup

LOOKUP 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.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

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.

FILTER

Excel 2019

FILTER was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Excel 2.0

LOOKUP was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release 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

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

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.

FILTER

Advanced

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

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP 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

For all*

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

INDEX_MATCH

Range

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

FILTER

Range

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

LOOKUP

Number

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

Text

LOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation 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

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 2016

INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

INDEX_MATCH is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

Microsoft 365

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

FILTER

Microsoft 365

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

LOOKUP

Excel 2016

LOOKUP is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

LOOKUP is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version 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

FILTER

Excel Online

FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.
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.

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP 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
Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

INDEX_MATCH

Number

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

FILTER

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

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

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

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

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

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data