XLOOKUP and INDEX-MATCH are both powerful Excel functions for data lookup, but they differ in functionality and ease of use.
Why XLOOKUP is Beneficial
Simpler Syntax
XLOOKUP:=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array)
INDEX/MATCH:=INDEX(return_range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, 0))
XLOOKUP is one function instead of two nested ones — easier to write and debug.
Looks Left or Right
With VLOOKUP you could only look to the right
— but both
XLOOKUP and
INDEX/MATCH let you look in any direction.
Exact Match by Default
XLOOKUP defaults to exact match.
With INDEX/MATCH you must remember to add 0 for exact match:MATCH(value, range, 0)
Can Return Multiple Results
XLOOKUP can return several columns without extra formulas.=XLOOKUP(A2, A:A, B:D)
INDEX/MATCH would require more complex setups.
Search From Bottom
XLOOKUP has options for search direction:=XLOOKUP(val, arr, ret, , -1) 'search bottom to top
INDEX/MATCH can’t natively do that.
Recommendation to use
Use XLOOKUP when you:
- Want simplicity and readability
- Need to return multiple values
- Often use exact matches
- Want left-side lookup or reverse search
Use INDEX/MATCH only if you’re on an older Excel version that doesn’t have XLOOKUP.
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