Compact mode

COUNTIFS vs LOOKUP

COUNTIFS

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

LOOKUP

Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

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

COUNTIFS

Statistical

COUNTIFS belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations 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

COUNTIFS

Calculation

COUNTIFS performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations 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

Both*

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making
Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

COUNTIFS

Analysts

COUNTIFS is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

COUNTIFS

Data Analysis

COUNTIFS 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

COUNTIFS

Multiple Criteria Counting

COUNTIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Counting.

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

COUNTIFS

Excel 2007

COUNTIFS was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 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

Both*

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

COUNTIFS

Enhanced version of COUNTIF

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNTIFS

The function that makes counting feel like detective work

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

Both*

Intermediate

Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

Both*

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data
Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

COUNTIFS

Range

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

LOOKUP

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.

Both*

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
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

Both*

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

Both*

2
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

Both*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

COUNTIFS

Text

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

Number

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

LOOKUP

Array

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNTIFS

Flexible Criteria Options

Multiple Conditions

Easy To Use

Handles Multiple Criteria

Flexible

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

COUNTIFS

Complex Syntax For Multiple Criteria

Performance Issues With Large Datasets

Limited To Equal Conditions Only

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data