Compact mode
SUM vs IF vs IFS
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 typesSUMIFIFSOperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsSUM- CalculationSUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
IFIFS
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*SUMIF- Data AnalystsIF is designed for Data Analysts. Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation Click to see all.
- Administrative StaffIF is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.
IFSPurpose 📝
Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel functionSUM- Data AnalysisSUM is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Data AggregationSUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.
IFIFS
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
IF- Conditional StatementsIF is known for Conditional Statements.
IFS- Multiple Condition HandlingIFS is known for Multiple Condition Handling.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
IF- Most nested function
IFS- Replaced nested IF statements
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
IF- Making simple decisions complicated
IFS- Like a traffic controller for logical conditions
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMIFIFS
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersSUM- NumberSUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
IF- BooleanIF accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values
IFS- BooleanIFS accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values
Version Compatibility 💻
Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.For all*- Excel 2016Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
- Microsoft 365Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
SUM- Excel 2019SUM is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2013SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
IF- Excel 2019IF is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2013IF is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
- Excel OnlineIF 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
SUM- Web ExcelSUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
IF- Web ExcelIF runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
IFS- Excel OnlineIFS runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMIFIFSRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionSUM- NumberSUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- RangeSUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
IF- BooleanIF accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making
- TextIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
- NumberIF accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
IFS- BooleanIFS accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making
- TextIFS accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
IF- Simple Logic Implementation
- Versatile
- Flexible
- Easy To UnderstandFunctions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
IFS- Multiple Condition Support
- Clean SyntaxFunctions with clear and easy-to-understand syntax structure
- Logical Flow
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
IF- Nested IFs Can Be ComplexFunctions where multiple IF statements become difficult to manage and understand Click to see all.
- Limited Conditions
- Nested IFs Get Complex
IFS
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to SUM
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
📊
is easier to use than IF
VLOOKUP
Known for Vertical Data Search
🔢
needs fewer arguments than IF
AND
Known for Multiple Condition Check
📊
is easier to use than IF
⚙
performs better than IF
🛠
is more reliable than IF
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊
is easier to use than IF
OR
Known for Any Condition Check
📊
is easier to use than IF
⚙
performs better than IF
🛠
is more reliable than IF