Compact mode

CONCAT vs SUBSTITUTE vs CLEAN

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

For all*

Text

Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
Operation Type 🔧

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

For all*

Manipulation

Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

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

CONCAT

Business Managers

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

SUBSTITUTE

Administrative Staff

SUBSTITUTE is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

CLEAN

Administrative Staff

CLEAN is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

CONCAT

String Operations

CONCAT is used for String Operations. Excel functions that manipulate and process text strings Click to see all.

SUBSTITUTE

Text Manipulation

SUBSTITUTE is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content Click to see all.

CLEAN

Text Manipulation

CLEAN is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

CONCAT

Modern Text Joining

CONCAT is known for Modern Text Joining.

SUBSTITUTE

Replace Specific Text

SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.

CLEAN

Removing Non-Printable Characters

CLEAN is known for Removing Non-Printable Characters.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

CONCAT

Excel 2016

CONCAT was created in Excel 2016. Functions that came with Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

SUBSTITUTE

Excel 97

SUBSTITUTE was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

CLEAN

Excel 4.0

CLEAN was created in Excel 4.0. Functions introduced in Excel 4.0 version 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

CONCAT

Replaced CONCATENATE function

SUBSTITUTE

Originally designed for mail merge operations

CLEAN

Originally created for printer compatibility
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

CONCAT

The modern solution to text attachment anxiety

SUBSTITUTE

Find and replace's overachieving cousin

CLEAN

Makes your data shower-fresh clean

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

CONCAT

Simple

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

SUBSTITUTE

Intermediate

SUBSTITUTE has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

CLEAN

Simple

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Text

Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation

CONCAT

Array

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

CONCAT

Microsoft 365

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

SUBSTITUTE

Excel 2013

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

CLEAN

Excel 2013

CLEAN is compatible with 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

CONCAT

2

CONCAT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

SUBSTITUTE

3

SUBSTITUTE needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

CLEAN

1

CLEAN needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

CONCAT

Range

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

SUBSTITUTE

Number

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

CONCAT

Array Support

Dynamic Ranges

SUBSTITUTE

Multiple Replacements

Case Sensitive

Precise

CLEAN

Removes Unwanted Characters

Improves Data Quality

Simple To Use
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

CONCAT

Not Backward Compatible

Limited Formatting

Functions with restricted formatting capabilities, reducing customization options Click to see all.

SUBSTITUTE

Requires Exact Match

Complex Syntax

CLEAN

Limited Cleaning Scope

Only Removes Specific Characters