Compact mode
LEFT vs FIND vs RAND
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 typesLEFT- TextLEFT belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
FINDRANDOperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsLEFT- ManipulationLEFT performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
FIND- ManipulationFIND performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
RAND- CalculationRAND performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*LEFTFINDRAND
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionLEFT- Text ExtractionLEFT is known for Text Extraction.
FIND- Text Search And Position FindingFIND is known for Text Search And Position Finding.
RAND- Generate Random NumbersRAND is known for Generate Random Numbers.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionLEFT- Often paired with RIGHT
FIND- Can search from left to right and right to left
RAND- Uses Wichmann-Hill algorithm from 1982
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionLEFT- The function that discriminates against right-handed people
FIND- Sometimes finds things you wish stayed hidden
RAND- The Las Vegas of Excel functions
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 parametersLEFTFIND- NumberFIND accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
- TextFIND accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.
RAND- NumberRAND accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
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
- Excel 2013Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
LEFT- Microsoft 365LEFT is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineLEFT 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 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 properlyLEFTFINDRAND- ~
Required Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
LEFT- TextLEFT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
FIND- TextFIND accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionLEFT- Simple Text Extraction
- Consistent
- Easy Text Handling
- QuickQuick Excel functions deliver rapid results with minimal processing time
FIND- Easy To Use For Basic Text Searches
- Case-Sensitive Search Capability
RAND- No Arguments NeededExcel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup
- Dynamic Updates
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionLEFT- Limited To Left SideFunctions that only work with characters from the left side of text entries Click to see all.
- Fixed Length OnlyFunctions restricted to processing fixed-length inputs, reducing versatility Click to see all.
- Only Left Side
- Fixed LengthFunctions only process data of specific lengths, limiting adaptability Click to see all.
FIND- Limited To Text Strings Only
- Returns Error If Text Not FoundFunctions that produce errors when searched text is not present Click to see all.
RAND
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to LEFT
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📊
is easier to use than FIND
⚙
performs better than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊
is easier to use than FIND
📈
is more versatile than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND
ROUND
Known for Round Numbers
📊
is easier to use than FIND
📈
is more versatile than FIND
⚙
performs better than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
📊
is easier to use than FIND
⚙
performs better than FIND
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
🔢
needs fewer arguments than FIND
📈
is more versatile than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND
MID
Known for Extracting Text Segments
🔢
needs fewer arguments than FIND
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
🔢
needs fewer arguments than FIND
📈
is more versatile than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND
PRODUCT
Known for Multiplying Numbers Together
📊
is easier to use than FIND
⭐
is rated higher than FIND