3 Reasons Why INDEX MATCH Is Better Than VLOOKUP

By Wyn Hopkins

VLOOKUP has met it’s match!

Here are 3 reasons why you should use INDEX/MATCH instead of VLOOKUP:

  1.  You can “lookup to the left”
  2.  You don’t get incorrect results when a column is inserted or deleted from your data
  3.  When used in conjunction with Tables, the formulae are a lot more meaningful.

=INDEX(SelectColumnContainingWhatYouWantToReturn, MATCH(TheSingleCellYouAreLookingUp,ColumnWhereYouAreLooking,0),0)      

And here are the steps for easy implementation:

  1. Copy this formula then go into Excel / File>Options>Proofing>Autocorrect
  2. In the replace box type iii, then in the with box paste the formula
  3. Whenever you need a better alternative to vlookup just type iii (autocorrect kicks in), and then double click on each piece of text to select the appropriate column/cell

Alternatively, download our free Excel Ribbon (The Great 48 toolbar) which includes a button o put this formula in for you automatically.