Index Match Vs VLOOKUP: Which one is Better, Formula Differences and more

Index Match vs VLOOKUP - Key Differences

INDEX/MATCH offers more stability because it locks in the exact column you want to retrieve, unlike VLOOKUP, where changing columns in the lookup range can alter the returned results.

INDEX/MATCH is structurally stronger since moving columns around won’t disrupt your results, whereas VLOOKUP might display incorrect data if columns shift. If your data is stable, doesn't involve sensitive information, and you’re referencing only a few columns, VLOOKUP works well. However, for most other cases, INDEX/MATCH is the safer, more reliable choice.

When comparing INDEX MATCH vs. VLOOKUP in Excel, one key difference lies in how they handle column references. VLOOKUP relies on a fixed column number, which can lead to errors if columns are rearranged, making it less flexible for dynamic datasets. On the other hand, INDEX MATCH uses a dynamic column reference, automatically adjusting to changes in your data, which is especially beneficial for larger and more complex spreadsheets. Both functions are powerful tools for performing lookups in Excel, each with unique strengths and limitations.

Whether you're analyzing complex datasets, creating dynamic reports, or solving lookup challenges, understanding the advantages of INDEX MATCH over VLOOKUP can help you choose the right function for your specific needs. This guide offers a detailed comparison of these functions, helping you master efficient data analysis and improve your Excel skills.

What is INDEX MATCH in Excel

The Following Formula is the blend of two capabilities in Excel: INDEX and MATCH. Consolidated, the two equations can gaze upward and return the worth of a cell in a table in light of vertical and level standards.

=INDEX() returns the worth of a cell in a table in light of the segment and column number.

=MATCH() returns the place of a cell in succession or segment.

Index Match Vs VLOOKUP: Formula Differences

When comparing INDEX MATCH and VLOOKUP, the primary distinction lies in how these formulas operate and their flexibility in handling data lookups. Below is a breakdown of their formula structures, along with their use cases and key differences.

VLOOKUP Formula

The VLOOKUP function is used to search for a value in the first column of a range and return a value in the same row from another column.

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Parameters:

• lookup_value: The value to look for in the first column of the range.
• table_array: The table or range containing the data to search.
• col_index_num: The column number in the range from which to retrieve the result.
• range_lookup (optional):
  • TRUE for an approximate match (default).
  • FALSE for an exact match.

INDEX MATCH Formula

The INDEX MATCH formula is a combination of two functions:

1. INDEX retrieves a value from a range based on row and column numbers.
2. MATCH finds the relative position of a value in a range.

Syntax for INDEX:

=INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])

Syntax for MATCH:

=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])

Combined Syntax:

=INDEX(array, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type]), column_num)

Comparison Table for Formula Differences

How to Use the INDEX Formula in Excel

The following is a table showing individuals' names, levels, and weights. We need to utilize the INDEX equation to look into Thanish's level, here is an illustration of how to make it happen. Following these means,

• Type "=INDEX(" and select the region of the table, then, at that point, add a comma
• Type the column number for Thanish, which is "4," and add a comma
• Type the section number for Height, which is "2," and close the section
• The outcome is "5.8."

How to Use the MATCH Formula in Excel

Staying with a similar model as over, we should utilize MATCH to sort out what column Thanish is in.

Following these means,

• Type "=MATCH(" and connection to the cell containing "Thanish"… the name we need to turn upward.
• Select every one of the cells in the Name section (counting the "Name" header).
• Type zero "0" for a definite match.
• The outcome is that Thanish is in column "4."

How to Combine INDEX and MATCH

Presently we can take the two MATCH equations and use them to supplant the "4" and the "2" in the first INDEX recipe. The outcome is an INDEX MATCH equation.

Following these means,

• Cut the MATCH equation for Thanish and supplant the "4" with it.
• Cut the MATCH equation for Height and supplant the "2" with it.
• The outcome is Thanish's Height is "5.8."
• Congrats, you currently have a powerful INDEX MATCH equation!

What is VLOOKUP in Excel

VLOOKUP means 'Vertical Lookup'. A capability makes Excel look for a specific worth in a segment (the purported 'table cluster'), to return a worth from an alternate section in a similar column. This article will show you how to utilize the VLOOKUP capability.

A VLOOKUP capability exists in 4 parts,

• The worth you need to turn upward;
• The reach wherein you need to find the worth and bring esteem back;
• The quantity of the section inside your characterized range, that contains the bring esteem back;
• 0 or FALSE for an accurate coordinate with the worth you are searching for; 1 or TRUE for an estimated match.

Syntax: VLOOKUP([value], [range], [column number], [false or true])

In our model, we have a rundown of Names, Height, and Weights. We need to find the Height of Sai rapidly in this table. In the first place, select a cell in which you need to distribute the Height:

Along these lines, in our chosen cell we begin composing: =VLOOKUP( :

Then, at that point, we select the worth we need to look into, for this situation, it's 'Sai' in cell F3,

Next, we enter ',' and select the reach (or table cluster) in which we need to find the query esteem and the bring esteem back. For this situation it is range (B2:D8):

Then, at that point, we enter ',' and the quantity of the section inside the characterized range wherein we need to search for the bring esteem back. For this situation, it is segment 2, trailed by ',' and '0' or Misleading for a definite coordinate with the query esteem 'Sai':

At the point when we press enter, we get the comparing cost from the column that holds esteem 'Sai' inside the chosen table exhibit:

In this model we just have a little rundown of names, however, envision you have a considerable rundown of information and you wish to utilize a specific worth somewhere else in your bookkeeping sheet. Utilizing VLOOKUP (and HLOOKUP) the client just needs to change a specific worth in one worksheet and it will consequently be changed in any remaining significant spots. Be that as it may, imagine a scenario in which we're unsure about the query esteem. This is the point at which the estimated match may be valuable.

Estimated Match in VLOOKUP

At the point when we enter the word 'Sia' in our query esteem cell G3, the VLOOKUP capability as we planned gets confounded, because it can't track down this worth in the table exhibit. It returns the standard Excel blunder #N/A:

Be that as it may, when we change the '0' (or 'False') part of our VLOOKUP capability to '1' or 'Valid':

=VLOOKUP(F3,B2:D8,2,1)

Presently we have requested that the capability search for an estimated coordination with 'Sia'. On the off chance that it can't find the specific match, it will search for the nearest match to the worth 'Sia', not as much as 'Sia', which is 'Sai':

5 Reasons INDEX MATCH Is Better Than VLOOKUP

When choosing a function for vertical lookups, most Excel experts agree that INDEX MATCH outperforms VLOOKUP. Despite this, many users stick with VLOOKUP, mainly because it’s easier to use and they may not fully realize the advantages of INDEX MATCH in Excel. Without a clear understanding of its benefits, few are motivated to spend the time learning the more complex INDEX MATCH syntax.

Dynamic Column Reference Leads to Fewer Errors

The critical contrast between INDEX MATCH and VLOOKUP is that VLOOKUP requires a static section reference while INDEX MATCH utilizes a powerful segment reference. With VLOOKUP, the vast majority will include a particular, static number to show which section they need to get back from. At the point when you use INDEX MATCH, the recipe permits you to physically pick which section you need to pull from. The explanation this prompts fewer blunders is that when you follow the INDEX MATCH linguistic structure, you click straightforwardly on the field containing the worth you need to return.

With the VLOOKUP language structure, you determine your whole table exhibit, AND THEN you determine a section reference to show which segment you need to pull information from.

It's a little contrast, however, this extra step without a doubt prompts more blunders. This mistake is particularly predominant when you have a huge table cluster and need to outwardly count the number of sections you need to move over. At the point when you use INDEX MATCH, no such counting is required.

The following two benefits of utilizing INDEX MATCH likewise come from the way that VLOOKUP requires a static segment reference input for the qualities you need to return. If it's not too much trouble, note that you could get around the static reference issue by utilizing an equation inside the VLOOKUP punctuation, making a mix recipe like VLOOKUP MATCH or VLOOKUP HLOOKUP. Notwithstanding, it's a lot more straightforward just to learn INDEX MATCH and gain every one of the extra advantages past having dynamic section reference.

Insert Column Immunity

The best advantage of utilizing INDEX MATCH over VLOOKUP is the way that, with INDEX MATCH, you can embed segments in your table exhibit without misshaping your query results. Any time you work with a huge dataset, there's a decent opportunity you'll have to return to alter our sections and possibly embed another segment. With VLOOKUP, any embedded or erased section that uproots your return values will change the aftereffects of your equations.

Here, we've arranged the equation to pull the State esteem from our information table. Since it is a VLOOKUP recipe, we have referred to the fourth section.

If we insert a column in the middle of the table array, the new result is now “Bangalore”; we are no longer pulling the correct value for State and must change the column reference.

INDEX MATCH as an embed section insusceptibility, so you can embed and erase segments without stressing over refreshing each related query equation.

Easier to Drag and Copy

While working with enormous datasets, it's uncommon to compose only a solitary query recipe; you're probably going to have to drag and duplicate your equation to numerous cells to play out different queries. For instance, suppose that for a particular ID, I need to return a progression of values from my table precisely as per the pattern in which they show up in the table. At the point when I attempt to drag and duplicate the standard VLOOKUP equation across (with a reference lock on both the query esteem and the table cluster), the query doesn't work since it simply pulls a similar incentive for every passage. This lack is again brought about by VLOOKUP requiring a particular section reference input for your bring values back.

With INDEX MATCH, since you can set the return section to drift (basically by not reference locking it) the return segment will move as you duplicate your equation over, giving you the various fields as they show up.

No Array Restriction

One more key impediment of VLOOKUP is that it expects you to determine a square table cluster wherein your segment reference can't move past. The key circumstance when this turns into an issue is the point at which you add another field to your dataset past your unique table cluster. Consider the model beneath:

Assuming we add another segment to this dataset, we can't utilize my unique VLOOKUP recipe to pull values from that new section. If we change my section reference to "6," the recipe returns a mistake because my table is just 5 segments wide. To make the recipe work, we need to refresh the table exhibit we determined each time we added another segment.

With INDEX MATCH, you don't have to determine a table cluster and hence don't deal with this issue.

INDEX MATCH formula to look up from right to left

One of the vital advantages of utilizing INDEX MATCH is having the option to make query keys on the right half of your information table. New query keys are for the most part made by running estimations on fields inside your unique dataset. These keys address your query segment inside the INDEX MATCH language structure. While utilizing INDEX MATCH, you can add these new query keys to the right half of your table and play out an option to pass on the query to pull the qualities you need to return. The INDEX MATCH punctuation doesn't mind whether your query segment is on the left or right half of your bring section back.

Comparison Table: Reasons to Opt for INDEX MATCH Over VLOOKUP in Excel

Conclusion

Both INDEX MATCH and VLOOKUP are essential tools for data lookups in Excel, but their applications vary depending on the requirements. VLOOKUP is straightforward and ideal for simple tasks with static data structures. On the other hand, INDEX MATCH offers greater flexibility, supporting lookups in any direction, dynamic column referencing, multiple criteria, and case sensitivity.

For beginners, VLOOKUP might be easier to learn, but for advanced users or when dealing with large, complex datasets, INDEX MATCH is the superior choice. Choose the method that best fits your needs, and leverage their strengths to improve your Excel efficiency!