Summary of Compare VLOOKUP XLOOKUP INDEX and DGET Functions- Same Work Situation

The video tutorial by Nabil Murad compares four Excel functions—VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX, and DGET—using a practical example to extract sales data based on a selected month. The tutorial highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each function in a similar work situation.

Main Ideas and Concepts:

• Function Overview:
  • VLOOKUP: A classic function for vertical lookups, but can be problematic if the order of columns is changed.
  • XLOOKUP: A more recent function that allows for dynamic arrays and better handling of errors, but requires careful locking of references.
  • INDEX: Requires the use of helper functions (MATCH) to determine row and column indices, providing flexibility but complexity.
  • DGET: A database function that is straightforward and does not require additional helper functions.
• Practical Example:
  • The tutorial uses a dataset showing quantities sold by month and region.
  • A dropdown allows selection of a month, and the functions are used to extract the corresponding sales figures.
• Function Implementation:
  • Each function is demonstrated step-by-step, showing how to set up the formulas and the importance of locking cell references when necessary.
  • The performance and character length of each formula are discussed, with DGET being the shortest and simplest.
• Comparison of Results:
  • The tutorial illustrates how VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP can return incorrect results if the order of columns is altered.
  • INDEX and DGET handle changes in column order more gracefully.
• Final Recommendation:
  • Although the tutorial focuses on the four functions, Nabil suggests using the FILTER function as a more efficient alternative for similar tasks, noting its simplicity and shorter formula length.

Methodology/Instructions:

• VLOOKUP:
  • Use =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, column_index_number, range_lookup)
  • Lock references as needed and utilize the COLUMNS function for dynamic column indexing.
• XLOOKUP:
  • Use =XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array)
  • Requires careful locking of references for nested XLOOKUP functions.
• INDEX:
  • Use =INDEX(array, row_num, column_num)
  • Combine with MATCH functions to determine row and column numbers.
• DGET:
  • Use =DGET(database, field, criteria)
  • Select the entire database including headers and set criteria for filtering.
• FILTER (recommended alternative):
  • Use =FILTER(array, include)
  • Simple and dynamic without needing to lock references.

Speakers/Sources:

• Nabil Murad (main speaker and instructor)

Notable Quotes

— 15:49 — « In a similar work situation, I won't use any of these functions; I will rather use a filter array function. »

— 16:41 — « The filter function didn't require any other helper functions; it's the shortest one, only 25 characters. »

— 16:53 — « Let's exclude the filter function from the competition and vote for the winning function in a comment below this video. »

Category

Educational

Video