Compact mode

COUNTA vs CHOOSE vs OR

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

COUNTA

Statistical

COUNTA belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

CHOOSE

Logical

CHOOSE belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

OR

Logical

OR belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

COUNTA

Calculation

COUNTA performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

CHOOSE

Manipulation

CHOOSE performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

OR

Comparison

OR performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

COUNTA

Count Non-Empty Cells

COUNTA is known for Count Non-Empty Cells.

CHOOSE

Value Selection From List

CHOOSE is known for Value Selection From List.

OR

Any Condition Check

OR is known for Any Condition Check.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2.0

Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release
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

COUNTA

Originally designed for counting attendance in spreadsheets

CHOOSE

One of the oldest Excel functions

OR

Popular in conditional formatting
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNTA

Makes counting feel like a thrilling adventure in cell exploration

CHOOSE

The function that plays eeny meeny miny moe

OR

The function that settles for any truth

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Simple

Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

COUNTA

Number

COUNTA accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

Text

COUNTA accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Array

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

CHOOSE

Number

CHOOSE accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

OR

Boolean

OR accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values
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

Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 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

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

COUNTA

1

COUNTA needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

CHOOSE

2

CHOOSE needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

OR

2

OR needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

COUNTA

Array

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

Range

COUNTA accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

CHOOSE

Number

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

Array

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

OR

Boolean

OR accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making

Range

OR accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNTA

Easy To Use

Fast

Non-Zero Values Only

Versatile

CHOOSE

Simple Index-Based Selection

Excel functions using index-based selection provide straightforward data retrieval methods

Flexible Output Types

OR

Flexible Validation

Multiple Inputs
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

COUNTA

Counts Text As Valid

Includes Errors

Functions that consider error values in their computations, affecting results Click to see all.

Format Sensitive

CHOOSE

Limited By Fixed Number Of Choices

Not Dynamic

OR

Binary Output

Functions that only return TRUE/FALSE values may limit the range of possible outputs and analysis options Click to see all.

Basic Logic