Compact mode

COUNTA vs COUNTIFS vs DSTDEV

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*

Statistical

Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
Operation Type 🔧

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

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

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

COUNTA

Business Managers

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

COUNTIFS

Business Managers

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

Analysts

COUNTIFS is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Statisticians

DSTDEV is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

COUNTA

Data Analysis

COUNTA is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

COUNTIFS

Data Analysis

COUNTIFS is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Statistical Analysis

DSTDEV is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

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.

COUNTIFS

Multiple Criteria Counting

COUNTIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Counting.

DSTDEV

Database Standard Deviation

DSTDEV is known for Database Standard Deviation.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

COUNTA

Excel 2.0

COUNTA was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

COUNTIFS

Excel 2007

COUNTIFS was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 release Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Excel 95

DSTDEV was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release 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

COUNTA

Originally designed for counting attendance in spreadsheets

COUNTIFS

Enhanced version of COUNTIF

DSTDEV

Most used in quality control
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNTA

Makes counting feel like a thrilling adventure in cell exploration

COUNTIFS

The function that makes counting feel like detective work

DSTDEV

The deviation detective

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

COUNTA

Simple

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

COUNTIFS

Intermediate

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

DSTDEV

Advanced

DSTDEV has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

COUNTA

Text

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

COUNTIFS

Range

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

DSTDEV

Range

DSTDEV 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

COUNTA

Excel 2016

COUNTA is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

COUNTIFS

Excel 2016

COUNTIFS is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

DSTDEV

Excel 97

DSTDEV is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 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

COUNTA

Web Excel

COUNTA runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

COUNTIFS

Web Excel

COUNTIFS runs on 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.

COUNTIFS

2

COUNTIFS needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DSTDEV

3

DSTDEV needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
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

COUNTA

Array

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

COUNTIFS

Text

COUNTIFS accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Number

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

DSTDEV

Text

DSTDEV accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Criteria

DSTDEV accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNTA

Easy To Use

Fast

Non-Zero Values Only

Versatile

COUNTIFS

Flexible Criteria Options

Multiple Conditions

Easy To Use

Handles Multiple Criteria

Flexible

DSTDEV

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results

Database Filtering

Functions that filter and sort database-like data structures

Accurate Statistical Measure

Functions that provide accurate statistical calculations and metrics

Database Friendly
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

COUNTIFS

Complex Syntax For Multiple Criteria

Performance Issues With Large Datasets

Limited To Equal Conditions Only

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.

DSTDEV

Complex Implementation

Limited Use Cases

Limited Application

Complex Setup