What is an INDEX match?

INDEX MATCH is a clever way to perform a two-way lookup in Excel by combining the power of the INDEX and MATCH functions. It is used as a workaround for the limitations of VLOOKUP, and offers great flexibility once you understand how it works.

What does match INDEX mean?

The INDEX MATCH formula is the combination of two functions in Excel: INDEX and MATCH. =INDEX() returns the value of a cell in a table based on the column and row number. =MATCH() returns the position of a cell in a row or column.

Is INDEX match better 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 match in Excel used for?

The INDEX MATCH function is one of Excel's most powerful features. The older brother of the much-used VLOOKUP , INDEX MATCH allows you to look up values in a table based off of other rows and columns. And, unlike VLOOKUP , it can be used on rows, columns, or both at the same time.

What does spill mean in Excel?

Spill means that a formula has resulted in multiple values, and those values have been placed in the neighboring cells.

How to use Excel Index Match (the right way)

What is an Xlookup in Excel?

Syntax. The XLOOKUP function searches a range or an array, and then returns the item corresponding to the first match it finds. If no match exists, then XLOOKUP can return the closest (approximate) match.

How do I match data from two Excel spreadsheets?

Why would you use Xlookup instead of Vlookup?

The range for the VLOOKUP includes the entire column, but the XLOOKUP splits the referenced ranges to a range to search and one to find the returned value. Also note that the XLOOKUP used one formula to return two values.

How do I eliminate duplicates in Excel?

Why you should never use Vlookup?

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).

What is the difference between INDEX and match 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.

What replaces Vlookup?

XLOOKUP was released by Microsoft in 2019 and is meant as the replacement for VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH functions.

How do you use match?

The MATCH function searches for a specified item in a range of cells, and then returns the relative position of that item in the range. For example, if the range A1:A3 contains the values 5, 25, and 38, then the formula =MATCH(25,A1:A3,0) returns the number 2, because 25 is the second item in the range.

How do you use Vlookup and match together?

What is the difference between INDEX match and Xlookup?

XLOOKUP can find out either the first or the last value when multiple values match. But INDEX-MATCH can only return the first value that matches.

What is the best lookup function in Excel?

Excel's Best Lookup Method: INDEX-MATCH

lookup_value—The value to match in lookup_array. lookup_array—A range of cells with data. match_type—Specifies how Excel matches the lookup_value with values in the lookup_array.

Can Xlookup return multiple values?

One more amazing feature of XLOOKUP is its ability to return more than one value relating to the same match. All is done with the standard syntax and without any extra manipulations! You enter the formula in the top-left cell of the results range, and Excel automatically spills the results into adjacent blank cells.

How can I compare two Excel files for duplicates?

Select both columns of data that you want to compare. On the Home tab, in the Styles grouping, under the Conditional Formatting drop down choose Highlight Cells Rules, then Duplicate Values. On the Duplicate Values dialog box select the colors you want and click OK. Notice Unique is also a choice.

Can you use index and match across multiple sheets?

In Microsoft Excel, it's a common scenario to lookup and then extract data from multiple sheets based on different criteria. The combination of INDEX and MATCH functions is a suitable method that can serve the purpose of pulling out data from multiple sheets into a particular one.

What's the difference between Vlookup and Hlookup?

The most commonly used LOOKUP functions in Excel are VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP. VLOOKUP allows you to search a data range that is set up vertically. HLOOKUP is the exact same function, but looks up data that has been formatted by rows instead of columns.

Is Xlookup available in Excel 2021?

Excel 2021 for Windows allows you to collaboratively work with others and analyze data easily with new Excel capabilities including co-authoring, Dynamic Arrays, XLOOKUP, and LET functions.

What is Vlookup spill?

This means that if an entire column is given as the lookup_value argument, Excel will attempt to lookup all 1,048,576 values in the column. Once it's done, it will attempt to spill them to the grid, and will very likely hit the end of the grid resulting in a #SPILL! error.