Compact mode

UNIQUE vs LAMBDA vs INDEX

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

UNIQUE

Database

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

LAMBDA

Engineering

LAMBDA belongs to the Engineering category. Excel functions designed for engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

INDEX 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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

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

LAMBDA

Calculation

LAMBDA performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations Click to see all.

INDEX

Retrieval

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

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

LAMBDA

Custom Function Creation

LAMBDA is known for Custom Function Creation.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

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

LAMBDA

Excel 365

LAMBDA was created in Excel 365. Functions available in Excel 365 subscription Click to see all.

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX 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

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

LAMBDA

Brings programming concepts to Excel

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

LAMBDA

Like teaching Excel to speak programmer

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

UNIQUE

Intermediate

UNIQUE has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

LAMBDA

Advanced

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

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations 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

UNIQUE

Range

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

LAMBDA

Any

LAMBDA accepts Any as input data. Excel functions that can handle multiple types of input data Click to see all.

INDEX

Range

INDEX 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*

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

UNIQUE is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

INDEX

Excel 2019

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

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

UNIQUE

Excel Online

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

LAMBDA

Excel Online

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

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

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

LAMBDA

1

LAMBDA needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

UNIQUE

Range

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

LAMBDA

Array

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

Any

LAMBDA accepts Any as input types Excel functions that can process multiple types of input arguments without restrictions Click to see all.

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.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently Click to see all.

Dynamic Results

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

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes Click to see all.

LAMBDA

Reusable Code

Excel functions with reusable code enable efficient formula implementation across different scenarios Click to see all.

Custom Functions

Functions that allow user-defined customization and operations Click to see all.

Recursive Capability

Reusable Custom Functions

Reduces Complexity

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
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

LAMBDA

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Modern Excel Only

Recent Addition

Advanced Concept

Functions that require advanced Excel knowledge and complex understanding to use effectively Click to see all.

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to UNIQUE

Known for Named Calculations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

⚙ performs better than LAMBDA

Known for Advanced Filtering

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

🛠 is more reliable than LAMBDA

⭐ is rated higher than LAMBDA

Known for Advanced Calculations With Options

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

📈 is more versatile than LAMBDA

🛠 is more reliable than LAMBDA

⭐ is rated higher than LAMBDA

Known for Dynamic Number Series

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

⚙ performs better than LAMBDA

🛠 is more reliable than LAMBDA

⭐ is rated higher than LAMBDA

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

🛠 is more reliable than LAMBDA

⭐ is rated higher than LAMBDA

Known for Advanced Text Combining

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

🛠 is more reliable than LAMBDA

⭐ is rated higher than LAMBDA

Known for Finding Most Frequent Value

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

Known for Multiple Criteria Based Average

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

🔢 needs fewer arguments than LAMBDA

📊 is easier to use than LAMBDA