Compact mode
MIN vs COUNT vs COLUMN
Table of content
Basic Classification Comparison
Function Category 📊
Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function typesMINCOUNTCOLUMN- Lookup & ReferenceCOLUMN belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
Operation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsMIN- CalculationMIN performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
COUNT- CalculationCOUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
COLUMN- InformationCOLUMN performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*MINCOUNTCOLUMN
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionMIN- Finding Lowest ValueMIN is known for Finding Lowest Value.
COUNT- Counting Numeric CellsCOUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.
COLUMN- Column Number RetrievalCOLUMN is known for Column Number Retrieval.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionMIN- First mathematical function in Excel
COUNT- Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets
COLUMN- Essential for column calculations
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionMIN- The pessimist's favorite function
COUNT- Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop
COLUMN- The vertical cousin of ROW function
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelyFor all*
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersMIN- NumberMIN accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
COUNT- NumberCOUNT accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
- ArrayCOUNT accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
- RangeCOUNT accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
COLUMN- RangeCOLUMN 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 2019Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2016Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
COUNT- Excel 2013COUNT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
COLUMN- Excel 2013COLUMN 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 platformsFor all*- WindowsExcel functions optimized for Windows operating system
- MacOSExcel functions optimized for MacOS users
- Web ExcelExcel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlyMINCOUNTCOLUMN- ~
Required Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionMIN- NumberMIN accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- ArrayMIN accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
COUNT- NumberCOUNT accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- ArrayCOUNT accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
- RangeCOUNT accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
COLUMN- RangeCOLUMN accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionMIN- Easy To UnderstandFunctions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
- Reliable
COUNT- Fast And Efficient
- Easy To UnderstandFunctions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
- Widely Used
COLUMN- No Arguments NeededExcel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup
- Consistent Results
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionMIN- Only Works With Numbers
- No Text Handling
COUNT- Limited To Numbers Only
- Ignores Text Cells
COLUMN
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to MIN
SUM
Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations
📈
is more versatile than COUNT
🛠
is more reliable than COUNT
⭐
is rated higher than COUNT
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
⚙
performs better than COUNT
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙
performs better than COUNT
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
📈
is more versatile than COUNT
⚙
performs better than COUNT
🛠
is more reliable than COUNT
⭐
is rated higher than COUNT
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
📈
is more versatile than COUNT
⭐
is rated higher than COUNT
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
🔢
needs fewer arguments than COUNT
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢
needs fewer arguments than COUNT
📈
is more versatile than COUNT
ROUND
Known for Round Numbers
🔢
needs fewer arguments than COUNT
📈
is more versatile than COUNT
⚙
performs better than COUNT
⭐
is rated higher than COUNT
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
🔢
needs fewer arguments than COUNT
📈
is more versatile than COUNT