Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs SORT vs IFS

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.

SORT

Database

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

IFS

Logical

IFS belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making 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.

SORT

Manipulation

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

IFS

Comparison

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

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

INDEX_MATCH

Data Analysts

INDEX_MATCH is designed for Data Analysts. Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation Click to see all.

SORT

Data Analysts

SORT is designed for Data Analysts. Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation Click to see all.

IFS

Analysts

IFS 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

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.

SORT

Data Analysis

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

IFS

Conditional Logic

IFS is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations 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.

SORT

Dynamic Sorting

SORT is known for Dynamic Sorting.

IFS

Multiple Condition Handling

IFS is known for Multiple Condition Handling.

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.

SORT

Excel 2019

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

IFS

Excel 2016

IFS was created in Excel 2016. Functions that came with Excel 2016 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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

SORT

First dynamic array sorting function

IFS

Replaced nested IF statements
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

SORT

The librarian of Excel functions

IFS

Like a traffic controller for logical conditions

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.

SORT

Intermediate

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

IFS

Intermediate

IFS 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

INDEX_MATCH

Array

INDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

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

SORT

Array

SORT accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

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

IFS

Boolean

IFS accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values 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

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 2019

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

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.

SORT

Excel 2019

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

IFS

Excel 2016

IFS is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 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

INDEX_MATCH

Web Excel

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

SORT

Excel Online

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

Web Excel

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

IFS

Excel Online

IFS 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.

SORT

1

SORT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

IFS

2

IFS needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

INDEX_MATCH

Range

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

Number

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

Array

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

SORT

Range

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

IFS

Boolean

IFS accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

Text

IFS 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

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

SORT

Automatic Sorting

Dynamic Results

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

Multiple Columns

Automatic Updates

IFS

Multiple Condition Support

Clean Syntax

Functions with clear and easy-to-understand syntax structure Click to see all.

Logical Flow
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

SORT

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Space Requirements

Resource Intensive

Functions that consume significant computer memory and processing power Click to see all.

IFS

All Conditions Must Be Specified

Functions that need complete condition specification can be inflexible and prone to errors if any condition is missing Click to see all.

Order Sensitive

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to INDEX_MATCH

Known for Duplicate Removal

⚙ performs better than SORT

🛠 is more reliable than SORT

⭐ is rated higher than SORT

Known for Advanced Filtering

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

📈 is more versatile than SORT

⚙ performs better than SORT

🛠 is more reliable than SORT

⭐ is rated higher than SORT

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

📈 is more versatile than SORT

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than SORT

⚙ performs better than SORT

🛠 is more reliable than SORT

Known for Database Sum Operations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

Known for Vertical Data Search

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

Known for Modern Text Joining

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

⚙ performs better than SORT

🛠 is more reliable than SORT

⭐ is rated higher than SORT

Known for Multiple Criteria Based Average

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SORT

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than SORT

⚙ performs better than SORT

🛠 is more reliable than SORT

⭐ is rated higher than SORT