Compact mode

SUM vs AGGREGATE vs DCOUNT

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

Basic Classification Comparison

Function Category 📊

Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function types

SUM

Mathematical

SUM belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

Mathematical

AGGREGATE belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Database

DCOUNT belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

SUM

Business Managers

SUM is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

Statisticians

AGGREGATE is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

SUM

Data Aggregation

SUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SUM

Basic Arithmetic Calculations

SUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.

AGGREGATE

Advanced Calculations With Options

AGGREGATE is known for Advanced Calculations With Options.

DCOUNT

Database Operations

DCOUNT is known for Database Operations.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUM

Excel 2.0

SUM was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

Excel 2010

AGGREGATE was created in Excel 2010. Functions that were new in Excel 2010 version Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Excel 95

DCOUNT was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

SUM

Most commonly used function in Excel

AGGREGATE

Combines multiple function capabilities

DCOUNT

Was created before SQL became popular
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

AGGREGATE

The Swiss Army knife of Excel functions that nobody uses

DCOUNT

The forgotten cousin of COUNT

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

SUM

Simple

SUM has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

Advanced

AGGREGATE has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Advanced

DCOUNT has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

AGGREGATE

Array

AGGREGATE accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Array

DCOUNT accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

DCOUNT accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

For all*

Excel 2019

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

SUM

Excel 2016

SUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

Microsoft 365

SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

SUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

AGGREGATE

Excel 2016

AGGREGATE is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

DCOUNT

Excel 97

DCOUNT is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 version
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system

MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users

SUM

Web Excel

SUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

SUM

1

SUM needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

3

AGGREGATE needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

DCOUNT

3

DCOUNT needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUM

Number

SUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Array

SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

AGGREGATE

Number

AGGREGATE accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

DCOUNT

Text

DCOUNT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Criteria

DCOUNT accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

AGGREGATE

Versatile Calculation Options

Ignores Errors

Excel functions that skip over errors maintain formula continuity without breaking calculations

DCOUNT

Powerful Database Functionality

Specific Criteria Handling

Powerful For Database Operations

Flexible Criteria
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

AGGREGATE

Complex Parameter Requirements

Functions that need detailed parameter setup for operation, requiring specific input formats Click to see all.

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Complex Syntax

Limited Visibility

Limited To Database Ranges

Functions that only work with database-style ranges, limiting data structure options Click to see all.