XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP vs INDEX-MATCH – Which is Best?
Excel gives you multiple ways to look up values: the old VLOOKUP, the flexible INDEX-MATCH, and the modern XLOOKUP. Which one should you use? Let’s break it down with examples.
1) VLOOKUP — The Classic
Looks for a value in the first column and returns a value from a specified column to the right.
=VLOOKUP(105, A2:D100, 3, FALSE)Pros: Easy to learn and widely used.
Cons: Only searches left-to-right, breaks if columns are inserted.
2) INDEX-MATCH — Flexible Combo
Combines two functions: INDEX (returns a value at a position) and MATCH (returns the position of a value).
=INDEX(C2:C100, MATCH(105, A2:A100, 0))Pros: Works left-to-right or right-to-left, more robust to structural changes.
Cons: Slightly harder for beginners to understand.
3) XLOOKUP — The Modern Upgrade
Introduced in Excel 365, XLOOKUP simplifies lookups and replaces both VLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH.
=XLOOKUP(105, A2:A100, C2:C100, "Not Found")Pros: Searches both directions, no need for column index numbers, easier syntax, allows custom error messages.
Cons: Not available in older Excel versions.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | VLOOKUP | INDEX-MATCH | XLOOKUP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direction | Left → Right only | Both | Both |
| Ease of Use | Simple | Intermediate | Simple |
| Handles Column Changes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Error Handling | Limited | Custom (with IFERROR) | Built-in |
Which Should You Use?
- Still using VLOOKUP? Fine for quick tasks, but be careful of its limitations.
- INDEX-MATCH? Great choice if you need flexibility and backwards compatibility.
- XLOOKUP? The best option if you’re on Excel 365 or Google Sheets, thanks to simplicity and power.
XLOOKUP where possible, but learn INDEX-MATCH for older versions.