Compact mode

ISNUMBER vs LOOKUP vs INDIRECT

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

ISNUMBER

Information

ISNUMBER belongs to the Information category. Excel functions that provide information about cells and 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.

INDIRECT

Lookup & Reference

INDIRECT 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

ISNUMBER

Comparison

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

LOOKUP

Retrieval

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

INDIRECT

Retrieval

INDIRECT 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

ISNUMBER

Engineers

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

LOOKUP

Business Managers

LOOKUP is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Engineers

INDIRECT 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

ISNUMBER

Data Analysis

ISNUMBER is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

Conditional Logic

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

LOOKUP

Data Lookup

LOOKUP 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.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

ISNUMBER

Number Validation

ISNUMBER is known for Number Validation.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

ISNUMBER

Excel 2000

ISNUMBER was created in Excel 2000. Functions first released with Excel 2000 version 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.

INDIRECT

Excel 97

INDIRECT was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 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

ISNUMBER

Used over 1 billion times daily

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

ISNUMBER

The bouncer of Excel functions - strictly checks IDs

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

INDIRECT

The function that makes Excel question its life choices

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

ISNUMBER

Simple

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

LOOKUP

Intermediate

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

INDIRECT

Advanced

INDIRECT 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*

Text

Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation

ISNUMBER

Number

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

LOOKUP

Number

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

Array

LOOKUP accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data 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

ISNUMBER

Microsoft 365

ISNUMBER is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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

ISNUMBER

Web Excel

ISNUMBER runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Web Excel

LOOKUP 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

ISNUMBER

1

ISNUMBER needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

INDIRECT

1

INDIRECT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

ISNUMBER

Number

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

Text

ISNUMBER accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing 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.

Range

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

ISNUMBER

Fast Execution

Functions that process data quickly and efficiently Click to see all.

Simple Syntax

Reliable Results

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

ISNUMBER

Limited To Number Checking

Functions restricted to verifying if values are numbers without additional capabilities Click to see all.

Binary Output Only

No Customization

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax