Compact mode

COUNT vs COLUMN vs NOW

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

COUNT

Mathematical

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

COLUMN

Lookup & Reference

COLUMN belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets

NOW

Date & Time

NOW belongs to the Date & Time category. Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

COLUMN

Information

COLUMN performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

NOW

Information

NOW performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

COLUMN

Column Number Retrieval

COLUMN is known for Column Number Retrieval.

NOW

Current Date And Time Retrieval

NOW is known for Current Date And Time Retrieval.

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

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets

COLUMN

Essential for column calculations

NOW

Updates approximately 86400 times per day
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

COLUMN

The vertical cousin of ROW function

NOW

The function that never lets you forget you're late

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

COUNT

Number

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

Array

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

Range

COUNT accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

COLUMN

Range

COLUMN accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

NOW

Date

NOW accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time 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

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

COLUMN

~
NOW

~
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

COUNT

Number

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

Array

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

Range

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

COLUMN

Range

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

NOW

Date

NOW accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNT

Fast And Efficient

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Widely Used

COLUMN

No Arguments Needed

Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup

Consistent Results

NOW

No Arguments Needed

Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup

Updates Automatically
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

COUNT

Limited To Numbers Only

Ignores Text Cells

COLUMN

Limited Functionality

Functions with restricted capabilities, reducing problem-solving options Click to see all.

Basic Output

NOW

Updates With Every Calculation

Can Slow Spreadsheets