Compact mode

SMALL vs DSUM vs INDIRECT

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

SMALL

Statistical

SMALL belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

DSUM

Database

DSUM belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Lookup & Reference

INDIRECT belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

SMALL

Calculation

SMALL performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

DSUM

Aggregation

DSUM performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Retrieval

INDIRECT performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

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

SMALL

Statisticians

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

DSUM

Financial Professionals

DSUM is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Engineers

INDIRECT is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SMALL

Statistical Analysis

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

DSUM

Data Analysis

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

Financial Calculations

DSUM is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Dynamic References

INDIRECT is used for Dynamic References. Functions for creating flexible cell references Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

DSUM

Database Sum Operations

DSUM is known for Database Sum Operations.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 97

Functions first available in Excel 97 version
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

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

DSUM

Less known but powerful feature

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

DSUM

The calculator that went to business school

INDIRECT

The function that makes Excel question its life choices

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SMALL

Simple

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

DSUM

Advanced

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

INDIRECT

Advanced

INDIRECT 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

SMALL

Number

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

Array

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

DSUM

Number

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

INDIRECT

Text

INDIRECT accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation 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

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
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DSUM

3

DSUM needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

INDIRECT

1

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

SMALL

Number

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

Range

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

DSUM

Range

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

Range

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

Range

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

INDIRECT

Text

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SMALL

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Reliable Results

DSUM

Powerful Database Calculations

Excel functions for database calculations enable efficient handling of structured data collections

Complex Criteria Support

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

DSUM

Complicated Syntax

Requires Database Structure

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax