Compact mode

XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP vs LOOKUP

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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

VLOOKUP

Administrative Staff

VLOOKUP 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 Lookup

Functions for finding and retrieving specific data

VLOOKUP

Data Analysis

VLOOKUP 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

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

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.

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

VLOOKUP was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Excel 2.0

LOOKUP 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

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

XLOOKUP

Advanced

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

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

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

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP 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

For all*

Text

Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation
Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

LOOKUP

Array

LOOKUP accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data 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.

VLOOKUP

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

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

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.

LOOKUP

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

LOOKUP 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
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

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 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

XLOOKUP

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.

VLOOKUP

Text

VLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing 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.

LOOKUP

Array

LOOKUP 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

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

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

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

VLOOKUP

Powerful Search Capability

Flexible Matching

Powerful Search

Common In Business

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
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

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

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data