Cell links vs Index/Match

Lawrence Lagalle

I understand they basically provide the same functionality but I was wondering if using cell links (Datamesh) vs Index/Match had the greater cross sheet reference performance effect when loading a sheet

Paul Newcome

INDEX/MATCH provides much more flexibility and allows for the use of a column formula to quickly generate links instead of having to create them one at a time.

Lawrence Lagalle

I use Datamesh to create the cell links via automation so that is not an issue. I am wondering about the performance impact when a sheet opens. Since they are both cross sheet references is a cell link creating the same performance impact as an Index/Match. In my head they do the same thing referencing one cell via an index so it should be the same.

Paul Newcome

Cell links would be the least amount of drag on performance.

Lawrence Lagalle

Thank you Paul,

We are working on some documentation due to an error we had last week. Do you know of a reference/link that I could use to back that up (for the boss)

Paul Newcome

I don't have any kind of documentation, but a cell link is a direct link to a single cell whereas an INDEX/MATCH creates a cross sheet reference that references at least two different columns just to pull the data in for a single column.

Lawrence Lagalle

Which makes perfect sense to me. also cell link stores nothing on the sheet Index stores the formula. I have some folks that work with me who aren't fond of cell links :(