Compact mode

SUBSTITUTE vs FIND 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

SUBSTITUTE

Text

SUBSTITUTE belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data Click to see all.

FIND

Mathematical

FIND belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations 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

SUBSTITUTE

Manipulation

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

FIND

Manipulation

FIND performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways 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

SUBSTITUTE

Administrative Staff

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

FIND

Business Managers

FIND 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

SUBSTITUTE

Text Manipulation

SUBSTITUTE is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content Click to see all.

FIND

Text Manipulation

FIND is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content 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

SUBSTITUTE

Replace Specific Text

SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.

FIND

Text Search And Position Finding

FIND is known for Text Search And Position Finding.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Excel 97

SUBSTITUTE was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

FIND

Excel 2.0

FIND 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

SUBSTITUTE

Originally designed for mail merge operations

FIND

Can search from left to right and right to left

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Find and replace's overachieving cousin

FIND

Sometimes finds things you wish stayed hidden

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

SUBSTITUTE

Intermediate

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

FIND

Simple

FIND has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and 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

FIND

Number

FIND accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations 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
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

SUBSTITUTE

Web Excel

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

FIND

Web Excel

FIND 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

SUBSTITUTE

3

SUBSTITUTE needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

FIND

2

FIND 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

For all*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

SUBSTITUTE

Number

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

FIND

Number

FIND 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

SUBSTITUTE

Multiple Replacements

Case Sensitive

Precise

FIND

Easy To Use For Basic Text Searches

Case-Sensitive Search Capability

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Requires Exact Match

Complex Syntax

FIND

Limited To Text Strings Only

Returns Error If Text Not Found

Functions that produce errors when searched text is not present Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax