Compact mode

MATCH vs VLOOKUP 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

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

MATCH

Business Managers

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

VLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Administrative Staff

VLOOKUP is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management 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

MATCH

Data Lookup

MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

VLOOKUP is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

Data Analysis

VLOOKUP is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing 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

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

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.

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

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
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

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

MATCH

Intermediate

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

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP 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

MATCH

Number

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

VLOOKUP

Number

VLOOKUP 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

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

MATCH

Web Excel

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

VLOOKUP

Web Excel

VLOOKUP 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

MATCH

3

MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 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

MATCH

Range

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

Range

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

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

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
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

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax