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MATCH vs VLOOKUP vs LOOKUP

Name: MATCH
Brand: MATCH
Rating: 7.5

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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

VLOOKUP

Administrative Staff

VLOOKUP is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Lookup

Functions for finding and retrieving specific data

VLOOKUP

Data Analysis

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

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

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

MATCH

Excel 3.0

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

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

VLOOKUP was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 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.
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

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

MATCH

The function that plays hide and seek

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

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

For all*

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

For all*

Text

Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation
Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

LOOKUP

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

MATCH

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

MATCH is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

VLOOKUP 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
Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

MATCH

3

MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 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

MATCH

Text

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

Number

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

Array

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

VLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

Boolean

VLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making 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

MATCH

Flexible Matching

Works With INDEX

Versatile Search

Fast

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

MATCH

Requires Sorted Data

Complex Syntax

Requires Exact Matches

VLOOKUP

Left To Right Only

Can Be Slow With Large Datasets

Functions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.

Right-Only Search

Functions that can only search from right to left in text Click to see all.

Can Be Slow

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data