SUM vs COUNT vs COLUMN
Compact mode

SUM vs COUNT vs COLUMN

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

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.
    COUNT
    • Counting Numeric Cells
      COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.
    COLUMN
    • Column Number Retrieval
      COLUMN is known for Column Number Retrieval.

History Comparison

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    COUNT
    • Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets
    COLUMN
    • Essential for column calculations

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    COUNT
    • Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop
    COLUMN
    • The vertical cousin of ROW function

Usage Information Comparison

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    SUM
    • Number
      SUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
    COUNT
    COLUMN
    • Range
      COLUMN 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
    • Excel 2016
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    SUM
    • 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

  • 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
    SUM
    COUNT
    COLUMN
      ~

  • 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
    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

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Easy To Use
    • Widely Recognized
    • Versatile
    • Fast Calculation
    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

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Limited To Numbers Only
    • Cannot Handle Text
    • No Text Handling
    COUNT
    • Limited To Numbers Only
    • Ignores Text Cells
    COLUMN

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest 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
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
⚙ performs better than COUNT
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙ performs better than COUNT
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
📈 is more versatile than COUNT
⭐ is rated higher than COUNT
PRODUCT
Known for Multiplying Numbers Together
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
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
🔢 needs fewer arguments than COUNT