Is INDEX match better than VLOOKUP?

INDEX-MATCH is much better: It’s never slower than VLOOKUP and can be much faster. It returns a reference rather than a value, which allows us to use it for more purposes. It doesn’t care where the result array is with regard to the lookup array.

What is the difference between INDEX and VLOOKUP in Excel?

VLOOKUP can only be used for looking up values from Left to Right. INDEX MATCH can look up the values from Left to Right as well as Right to Left. VLOOKUP only can lookup through vertical lines, i.e. columns and not through rows. INDEX MATCH can lookup values through rows as well as columns.

Can you use VLOOKUP and INDEX match together?

The VLOOKUP function can be used when the lookup value is in the left column of your table or when you want to return the last value in a column. The INDEX and MATCH functions can be used in combination to do the same thing, but provide greater flexibility without some of the limitations of VLOOKUP.

What is the difference between match and INDEX in Excel?

The INDEX function can return an item from a specific position in a list. The MATCH function can return the position of a value in a list. The INDEX / MATCH functions can be used together, as a flexible and powerful tool for extracting data from a table.

Why is VLOOKUP bad?

It can not lookup and return a value which is to the left of the lookup value. It works only with data which is arranged vertically. VLOOKUP would give a wrong result if you add/delete a new column in your data (as the column number value now refers to the wrong column).

Why INDEX is used in Excel?

The INDEX function returns a value or the reference to a value from within a table or range. There are two ways to use the INDEX function: If you want to return the value of a specified cell or array of cells, see Array form.

How much faster is INDEX match than VLOOKUP?

With sorted data and an approximate match, INDEX-MATCH is about 30% faster than VLOOKUP. With sorted data and a fast technique to find an exact match, INDEX-MATCH is about 13% faster than VLOOKUP. Additionally, however, you can use a version of the INDEX-MATCH technique to calculate MUCH more quickly than with VLOOKUP.

What is INDEX used for in Excel?

The INDEX function returns a value or the reference to a value from within a table or range. There are two ways to use the INDEX function: If you want to return the value of a specified cell or array of cells, see Array form. If you want to return a reference to specified cells, see Reference form.

How do you use INDEX?

#1 How to Use the INDEX Formula

1. Type “=INDEX(” and select the area of the table, then add a comma.
2. Type the row number for Kevin, which is “4,” and add a comma.
3. Type the column number for Height, which is “2,” and close the bracket.
4. The result is “5.8.”

When can VLOOKUP go wrong?

By default, VLOOKUP will do an approximate match. This is a dangerous default because VLOOKUP may quietly return an incorrect result when it doesn’t find your lookup value.

What is Xlookup vs VLOOKUP?

XLOOKUP requires referencing fewer cells. VLOOKUP required you to input an entire data set, but XLOOKUP only requires you to reference the relevant columns or rows. By referencing fewer cells, the XLOOKUP will increase your spreadsheet calculation speed and potentially result in fewer circular reference errors.