Compact mode

IF vs XLOOKUP vs UNIQUE

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.

UNIQUE

Database

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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

UNIQUE performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data 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

IF

Administrative Staff

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

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

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.

UNIQUE

Data Analysis

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

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

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.

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

UNIQUE was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 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

IF

Most nested function

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover
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

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

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.

UNIQUE

Intermediate

UNIQUE has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks 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.

UNIQUE

Array

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

Range

UNIQUE 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.
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

IF

Web Excel

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

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.

UNIQUE

Excel Online

UNIQUE 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

IF

3

IF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

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.

Number

IF accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs 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.

Number

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

UNIQUE

Range

UNIQUE 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

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

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.
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

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

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.

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.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

IF

9.5

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.

XLOOKUP

9.5

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.

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.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

For all*

9
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

For all*

9.5
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.

UNIQUE

9

The overall score for UNIQUE is 9. 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 Advanced Data Retrieval

Known for Text Search And Position Finding

Known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

Known for Replace Specific Text

Known for Horizontal Data Lookup

🔢 needs fewer arguments than XLOOKUP