Compact mode

IF vs XLOOKUP vs INDEX

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

IF

Logical

IF belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

XLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

INDEX 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

IF

Comparison

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

XLOOKUP

Retrieval

XLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources Click to see all.

INDEX

Retrieval

INDEX 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

IF

Administrative Staff

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

Business Managers

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

XLOOKUP

Business Managers

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

INDEX is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

IF

Conditional Logic

IF is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

Data Lookup

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

INDEX

Data Lookup

INDEX 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

IF

Conditional Statements

IF is known for Conditional Statements.

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

IF

Excel 2.0

IF was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

Excel 2019

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

INDEX

Excel 3.0

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

IF

Most nested function

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

IF

Making simple decisions complicated

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

IF

Simple

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

XLOOKUP

Advanced

XLOOKUP has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX 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

IF

Boolean

IF accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

Text

XLOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Number

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

INDEX

Array

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

Range

INDEX accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets 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
Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

IF

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

IF is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

Excel Online

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

INDEX

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

Excel Online

INDEX 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

XLOOKUP

Excel Online

XLOOKUP 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

For all*

3
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

IF

Boolean

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

Text

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

XLOOKUP

Range

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

Text

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

INDEX

Array

INDEX 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

IF

Simple Logic Implementation

Versatile

Flexible

Easy To Understand

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

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling Click to see all.

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities Click to see all.

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching Click to see all.

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation Click to see all.

Flexible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

IF

Nested IFs Can Be Complex

Functions where multiple IF statements become difficult to manage and understand Click to see all.

Limited Conditions

Nested IFs Get Complex

XLOOKUP

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited Backward Compatibility

Not Available In Older Versions

Complex For Beginners

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

IF

8.5

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.

XLOOKUP

8.5

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.

INDEX

7

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

For all*

9.5
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

IF

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.

XLOOKUP

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.

INDEX

8.5

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.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

IF

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.

XLOOKUP

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.

INDEX

9

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

IF

9.1

The overall score for IF is 9.1. Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

9.1

The overall score for XLOOKUP is 9.1. Click to see all.

INDEX

8.5

The overall score for INDEX is 8.5. Click to see all.

Alternatives to IF

Known for Position Finding

Known for Vertical Data Search

🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP

Known for Advanced Filtering

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

📈 is more versatile than XLOOKUP

⚙ performs better than XLOOKUP

🛠 is more reliable than XLOOKUP

Known for Text Search And Position Finding

Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

Known for Horizontal Data Lookup

🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

Known for Replace Specific Text