Compact mode

UNIQUE vs FILTER vs LET

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

UNIQUE

Database

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

FILTER

Database

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

LET

Engineering

LET belongs to the Engineering category. Excel functions designed for engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

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

FILTER

Manipulation

FILTER performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

LET

Manipulation

LET performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

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

UNIQUE

Business Managers

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

Administrative Staff

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

FILTER

Scientists

FILTER is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.

Business Managers

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

LET

Programmers

LET is designed for Programmers. Excel functions useful for programming and automation tasks Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

LET

Named Calculations

LET is known for Named Calculations.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2019

Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release
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

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering

LET

Enables functional programming in Excel
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

LET

Finally gives Excel users a reason to feel like real programmers

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

FILTER

Advanced

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

LET

Advanced

LET 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

UNIQUE

Array

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

Range

UNIQUE accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.

FILTER

Array

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

Range

FILTER accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.

LET

Text

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

Number

LET accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

Boolean

LET accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values 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*

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

UNIQUE is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

FILTER

Excel 2019

FILTER is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.
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

UNIQUE

Excel Online

UNIQUE runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

FILTER

Excel Online

FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

Web Excel

FILTER runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

FILTER

2

FILTER needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LET

2

LET needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

UNIQUE

Range

UNIQUE accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

FILTER

Range

FILTER accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

Array

FILTER accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

Boolean

FILTER accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

LET

Text

LET accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Array

LET accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently Click to see all.

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes Click to see all.

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes Click to see all.

FILTER

Dynamic Filtering

Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria Click to see all.

Multiple Criteria

Flexible Output

Returns Dynamic Arrays

Flexible Filtering

LET

Improves Formula Readability

Reduces Calculation Overhead

Excel functions optimized for reduced calculation overhead improve spreadsheet performance Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

FILTER

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Complex For Beginners

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Memory Intensive

LET

Limited Backward Compatibility

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to UNIQUE

Known for Dynamic Sorting

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Dynamic Array Support

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Dynamic Number Series

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Modern Text Joining

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

📈 is more versatile than FILTER

⚙ performs better than FILTER

🛠 is more reliable than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

Known for Advanced Data Retrieval

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FILTER

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than FILTER

🛠 is more reliable than FILTER

⭐ is rated higher than FILTER