Compact mode

INDEX_MATCH vs UNIQUE vs COUNT

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.

UNIQUE

Database

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

COUNT

Mathematical

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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

UNIQUE performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations 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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

UNIQUE

Administrative Staff

UNIQUE 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 Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

INDEX_MATCH 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

INDEX_MATCH

Two-Way Lookup Power

INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

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.

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

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

COUNT

Excel 2.0

COUNT 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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

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.

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

COUNT

Simple

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Array

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

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

COUNT

Number

COUNT 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

INDEX_MATCH

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.

Microsoft 365

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

UNIQUE

Microsoft 365

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

COUNT

Excel 2016

COUNT is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

COUNT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 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.

UNIQUE

Excel Online

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

COUNT

Web Excel

COUNT 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

INDEX_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 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

INDEX_MATCH

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.

COUNT

Number

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

Array

COUNT 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

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently Click to see all.

Dynamic Results

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

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes Click to see all.

COUNT

Fast And Efficient

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn Click to see all.

Widely Used
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

COUNT

Limited To Numbers Only

Ignores Text Cells

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

INDEX_MATCH

7.2

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

UNIQUE

9

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

COUNT

9.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

INDEX_MATCH

9.8 🥇Most Versatile Excel Function

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

UNIQUE

8.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

COUNT

7.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

INDEX_MATCH

9.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

UNIQUE

9

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

COUNT

9

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

INDEX_MATCH

9.7

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

UNIQUE

9.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

COUNT

9.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

INDEX_MATCH

9.05

The overall score for INDEX_MATCH is 9.05. Click to see all.

UNIQUE

9

The overall score for UNIQUE is 9. Click to see all.

COUNT

8.9

The overall score for COUNT is 8.9. Click to see all.

Alternatives to INDEX_MATCH

Known for Dynamic Sorting

📈 is more versatile than UNIQUE

Known for Advanced Filtering

🔢 needs fewer arguments than UNIQUE

📈 is more versatile than UNIQUE

Known for Modern Text Joining

🔢 needs fewer arguments than UNIQUE

⚙ performs better than UNIQUE

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than UNIQUE

🛠 is more reliable than UNIQUE

⭐ is rated higher than UNIQUE

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than UNIQUE

Known for Dynamic Number Series

📈 is more versatile than UNIQUE

⚙ performs better than UNIQUE

Known for Dynamic Array Support

🔢 needs fewer arguments than UNIQUE

📈 is more versatile than UNIQUE

⭐ is rated higher than UNIQUE

Known for Database Sum Operations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than UNIQUE

Known for Empty Cell Counter

📊 is easier to use than UNIQUE

⚙ performs better than UNIQUE

🛠 is more reliable than UNIQUE

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

🔢 needs fewer arguments than UNIQUE

📈 is more versatile than UNIQUE