You can’t “lookup left”. Some people claim INDEX MATCH is faster and perhaps if you are looking through millions of records you might notice a slight difference. Therefore, it can lookup values through both. INDEX MATCH can lookup values through rows as well as columns. And the VLOOKUP fanboys are fanatical cultists like the flat earthers, if you wanna go down that road lol. I thinl VLookp scores over INDEX match when the range we are taking the data from has increased number of rows compared to the destination rows. What puzzles me now is why it is not assembled in to one excel function with vlookup syntax to get the best of both? The INDEX/MATCH people are like religious people who come knock on your front door looking for a problem to fit their solution. I don’t have favorites, to begin with, but I prefer using the INDEX/MATCH combo more than VLOOKUP. And to do this, I will compare these two functions on some parameters (some are quantifiable and some are not). Both parties’ arguments have their merits. =INDEX( DblClk_to_Select_Column_to_return, MATCH( DblClk_Single_Lookup_Cell, DblClk_Lookup_Column, 0),0). With an INDEX MATCH formula you can easily add columns to your data set because your formula is searching for a match across all indexed cells. Left Lookup. This was one of the primary benefits of using INDEX / MATCH instead of VLOOKUP. To compare the speed of each function, I used them to search for zip codes with data from a massive zip code database with over 100k records. It is possible to perform an =IF(OR(SEARCH formula? Verdict: INDEX/MATCH combo gives you a lot more flexibility than VLOOKUP. This means, "search until found, find the exact match." INDEX-MATCH Is Faster Than VLOOKUP That is, INDEX-MATCH is only about 3% faster. The Index/Match formula can return a result from any column, not just columns to the right of the match. In this tutorial, I will try and compare these two formulas as objectively as I can. This makes remembering the syntax easier. On the other side of the coin, the INDEX MATCH does not have any restrictions for the lookup value. Can only locate a cell in one column. Looking forward to your opinion. I will keep you posted. For this reason, a lot of people use VLOOKUP as it is better understood by other Excel users. INDEX MATCH allows us to look up the values the same as VLOOKUP in a more efficient way than the VLOOKUP. Say you have a table of data and you want Excel to look up a certain value and return a corresponding value in a different row. The vlookup is significantly more popular for many Excel users. VLOOKUP uses the static data reference while looking up the values. INDEX and MATCH can work with horizontal or vertical ranges : The lookup_array values must be placed in ascending order (e.g., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2; or A-Z;, or FALSE, TRUE. Static column reference. Here is an update where they mention how they are making formula such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, and MATCH faster. 9. This doesn’t mean that you should not learn about INDEX/MATCH, but if you’re new to Excel and lookup formulas, start with VLOOKUP. VLOOKUP is very poor when we try to drag the formula across rows or columns with the same reference value. That is the point at which the row index it returns may be checked visually. Surely you can do the same thing with INDEX/MATCH too, but why take the hard road when it’s not even needed. The screenshot below is a simple example, we can filter “analysed year”, “compared year” and “country” to get some KPIs of selected country on selected year. 4. In this video I explain how to use the INDEX MATCH formula as an alternative to VLOOKUP … With unsorted data, VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH have about the same calculation times. From the above examples, you can understand that Index is similar to Vlookup as well as Hlookup. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We have fewer errors and our regression testing cycle is much shorter now. Both of these, Verdict: VLOOKUP is a clear winner on popularity. Counter to this, I believe a real strength of VLOOKUP is that it works looking up data from closed workbooks but that is not something I am likely to use. Index Match Match Alternative The only limitation of the LOOKUP Function is that it’s not completely dynamic. Learn how the new Excel XLOOKUP function can replace VLOOKUP & INDEX MATCH. Combining INDEX and MATCH functions is a more powerful lookup formula than VLOOKUP. This post will just focus on explaining the how the INDEX function works. Definitely a good analysis of the VLOOKUP vs. INDEX MATCH debate. It can do most of the things people need when working with data. Since it can only be used for vertical lookups, it automatically becomes restricted not to be used over horizontal lines (for this we use HLOOKUP). The INDEX function is commonly used in combination with the MATCH function to provide powerful and dynamic lookup formulas. Thanks again.. appreciate all of your wisdom and resources offered so generously to the Excel community! Fuel the fire – leave your 2 cents in the comments section. INDEX flexibility works when used with MATCH. You can only use a single column range in … Once the row index is validated then INDEX will return as many fields as are needed (including a copy of the search field for checking as in the two VLOOKUP strategy). With more coding and robotics, I am sure you can also make VLOOKUP fetch your favorite coffee, but remember, it’s not made for this. I'd like to search a cell for text. Here are some basic differences in these two formulas (more covered in detailed later in this article): You May Also Like the Following VLOOKUP Tutorials: I had a very complex financial forecasts model. At its simplest, INDEX () and MATCH () can be used to replace VLOOKUP () or HLOOKUP (). I explain the binary search in this video: https://youtu.be/GllJpJxOSvM. … How to Use Index Match as an Alternative to Vlookup . The Match formula also gives 3 options: Less Than (1), Exact Match (0) & Greater Than (-1), so gives greater flexibility than the Vlookup. 7. (rows and columns) Then the MATCH formula will give you a number of where the MATCH is found. VLOOKUP CHOOSE took 3.438 seconds, which is over 17 times slower. With sorted data and an approximate match, INDEX-MATCH is about 30% faster than VLOOKUP. Despite that, I think the value they bring to the bloated zoo of Excel functions is not worth their keep. Speed: http://www.decisionmodels.com/optspeede.htm http://www.excelguru.ca/forums/showthread.php?132-INDEX-MATCH-versus-VLOOKUP&p=599&viewfull=1#post599, General: http://mrexcel.com/articles/excel-vlookup-index-match.php http://exceluser.com/formulas/excels-vlookup-vs-index-match-functions.htm, Misc: http://www.excelhero.com/blog/2011/03/the-imposing-index.html. Another convenient feature is to choose values from different sections (sort of scenario manager) when you use it in a reference mode, using the [area_num] parameter at the end. The main difference between VLOOKUP and INDEX MATCH is in column reference. #1 – Lookup to the Left The first advantage of using these functions is that INDEX MATCH allows you to return a value in a column to the left. This is so misleading. With sorted data and a fast technique to find an exact match, INDEX-MATCH is about 13% faster than VLOOKUP. See CFI’s step by step guide on how to use Index Match Match in Excel Index Match Formula Combining INDEX and MATCH functions is a more powerful lookup formula than VLOOKUP. However, I truly believe that SQL is the best way to go to accomplish these lookup tasks: http://blog.excelstrategiesllc.com/2014/11/20/vlookup-vs-indexmatch-debate-sql. Maybe I’m just too set in my ways, another group other than new Excel users who won’t switch completely, the people who have been using Excel since before there was Windows. Ideally we would like to have an INDEX MATCH formula that is just as efficient as the DOUBLE TRUE VLOOKUP… Well in fact there is a way. © 2020 - EDUCBA. While you may find INDEX/MATCH equally easy when you get a hang of it, a beginner is likely to gravitate towards VLOOKUP. Contents. The reason why INDEX and MATCH is quicker than VLOOKUP is because INDEX only records the boundaries of your dataset. The point is that in order to make VLOOKUP as flexible as INDEX-MATCH, you have to add more code when you use it, thereby making it at least as complicated as INDEX-MATCH; so why not just use INDEX-MATCH in the first place? VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH formulas are among the most powerful functions in Excel. The look value doesn’t have to be in the leftmost table. It also can be considered as the most powerful formula present under Microsoft Excel for looking up the values. Index function returns a value from the intersection between the row number and the column number in an Array. And along the way, I’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of these two methods. When users need to do a lookup task, they often consider traditional lookup functions, such as VLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH. Index and Match functions instead of Vlookup. It can not lookup and return a value which is to the left of the lookup value. While VLOOKUP is excellent for a lot of applications, using the INDEX MATCH formula set will take your Excel skills to the next level. VLOOKUP defaults to an “approximate” match, requiring that you add the “false” argument at the end of your VLOOKUP to perform an exact match. VLOOKUP uses the static data references to look up the values in an array which means the column references are denoted by numbers such as 1, 2, 3,… etc. Just to clarify, it's NOT vlookup that is causing the delay. Can be significantly faster; Lookup offset; INDEX MATCH … On the other hand, some of the users find INDEX MATCH as difficult to understand due to its combination of two formulae which seems complex. 2. what is the formula to do this. INDEX MATCH is hard to understand as well as remember due to its complex nature that combines two functions/formulae. Where the VLOOKUP is lacking, INDEX MATCH picks up the slack. Link: http://blog.contextures.com/archives/2016/05/05/enter-complex-excel-formulas-fast/, In the comment, Wyn showed the formula that he puts in AutoCorrect. The system has evolved greatly since then filled with many automated functions and will continue to evolve. Oh, it’s another tool in the kit, but over the years I’ve built too many skills around VLOOKUP() to abandon it. Forms or Payment Voucher and Summary sheet. Total project size over the years has shrunk from right around 1048k down to 78k with the same amount of records. Great post, Sumit! I usually develop a workbook then review it with the owner, typically a business manager or director. Especially giving some credit to still using VLOOKUP as opposed to the mass opinions out there that we should all jump to INDEX MATCH. It provides the same result as the first lookup result because we are using static references. Index returns the value of a cell in a table based on the column and row number and Match returns the position of a cell in a row or column. In the above case, you have created a long formula that can be simplified using Index/Match. INDEX MATCH is usually faster than the VLOOKUP. However, you can use INDEX, MATCH and EXACT in Excel to perform a case-sensitive lookup. Someone needs to get a pillow and a shovel and kill this debate. The biggest selling point to me is that VLOOKUP is easy to teach to people, and it sticks, INDEX/MATCH less so, and even though I know all about INDEX/MATCH my first recourse is usually to VLOOKUP; I generally only use INDEX/MATCH when there is some twist in the requirement where I am adding some conditional test into the lookup. Use it and master it first, and then move to INDEX/MATCH. INDEX MATCH, on the other hand, is flexible to move through columns as well as rows. VLOOKUP requires a static column reference whereas INDEX MATCH requires a dynamic column reference. Thanks for sharing , I demo Charles William’s formula here: http://youtu.be/Guj__8KEQD8?t=4m48s. Nestle in with nested formulas. Hello Debjit.. Vlookup works when the lookup value is in the left most column. Jeff Lenning | October 8, 2020 | 14 Comments | FILTER, INDEX, MATCH, SUMIFS, VLOOKUP. INDEX-MATCH combo, on the other hand, is made to handle all these issues. VLOOKUP in Excel is a function that is very useful in looking up values concerning the references. Can you assist me in this !!!! Yes, you can create a big complex formula to make VLOOKUP look on the left and make the column number dynamic, but then ease of use goes out of the window. TESTING VLOOK vs INDEX/MATCH. The XLOOKUP function has been just recently announced as a new addition to the Excel functions base. See the below two images for your references. Case-sensitive lookup . VLOOKUP is a single formula that does all the lookup-and-fetch, but with INDEX/MATCH, you need to use both the functions in the formula. I personally feel that MS Query could be added to the clash between VLOOKUP vs. INDEX MATCH. I have been literally thinking the exact same thing. It can. Here’s why: In this video I explain how to use the INDEX MATCH formula as an alternative to VLOOKUP in Excel. I agree with majority of your commentators, given the choice, I would take the VLOOKUP route. the data array can be modified and the INDEX/MATCH doesn't lose it's way. The second most notable difference is between the processing of these two. Details in the Summary sheet and then the printing of Payment Voucher in a different sheet. Imagine what the formula by Debjit would look like if I have 100 columns of data. On the other hand, INDEX MATCH is smart enough to find out the actual value associated with the column when we drag the formula across rows/columns. 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