Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs INDEX vs OFFSET

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

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.

OFFSET

Engineers

OFFSET 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

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.

OFFSET

Dynamic Ranges

OFFSET is used for Dynamic Ranges. Functions for handling flexible data ranges Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

OFFSET

Dynamic Range Manipulation

OFFSET is known for Dynamic Range Manipulation.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

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.

OFFSET

Excel 3.0

OFFSET 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

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

OFFSET

Essential for dynamic charts
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

OFFSET

The parkour artist of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Advanced

Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

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.

OFFSET

Range

OFFSET 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

XLOOKUP

Microsoft 365

XLOOKUP is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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.

Microsoft 365

INDEX is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform 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.

OFFSET

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

OFFSET 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

XLOOKUP

Excel Online

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

Web Excel

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

INDEX

Web Excel

INDEX 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

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

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.

OFFSET

Range

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

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

OFFSET

Flexible Range Selection

Functions that enable selecting dynamic ranges and cell references flexibly Click to see all.

Dynamic References

Functions that can automatically adjust cell references based on changes Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

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

OFFSET

Volatile Calculation

Complex Syntax

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to XLOOKUP

Known for Position Finding

Known for Conditional Statements

Known for Advanced Filtering

Known for Vertical Data Search

🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP

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 Conditional Average Calculations

Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

Known for Horizontal Data Lookup

🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP

Known for Replace Specific Text