Compact mode
SUM vs IFERROR vs COUNTIF
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 typesSUMIFERRORCOUNTIF- StatisticalCOUNTIF belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
Operation 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
IFERROR- CalculationIFERROR performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
COUNTIF
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*SUMIFERRORCOUNTIFPurpose 📝
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.
IFERRORCOUNTIF
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
IFERROR- Error Handling And PreventionIFERROR is known for Error Handling And Prevention.
COUNTIF- Counting With ConditionsCOUNTIF is known for Counting With Conditions.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
IFERROR- Created after user complaints
COUNTIF- Counting made fascinating
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
IFERROR- Excel's way of saying 'nothing to see here'
COUNTIF- The function that makes counting harder than it should be
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 parametersFor all*- NumberExcel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
IFERROR- TextIFERROR accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.
- ErrorIFERROR accepts Error as input data. Excel functions for managing and handling error values Click to see all.
COUNTIFVersion 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
SUM- Microsoft 365SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
IFERROR- Excel 2007IFERROR is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version
COUNTIF- Microsoft 365COUNTIF is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineCOUNTIF 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
COUNTIF- Web ExcelCOUNTIF runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMIFERRORCOUNTIFRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- RangeExcel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
SUM- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
IFERROR- ErrorIFERROR accepts Error as input types Excel functions designed to handle and manage calculation errors effectively
COUNTIF- TextCOUNTIF 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
IFERROR- Prevents Formula Errors
- Clean Presentation
- Easy To Implement
- Clear Error Messages
COUNTIF- Easy Conditional Counting
- Flexible Criteria
- Simple To Use
- Efficient
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
IFERROR- Can Mask Real ErrorsFunctions that could conceal underlying data or calculation problems from users Click to see all.
- Binary Output Only
- Limited Flexibility
- Only Handles Errors
COUNTIF- Limited To Single Condition
- Case SensitiveFunctions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.
- Limited Criteria Options
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to SUM
SMALL
Known for Finding Nth Smallest Value
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
📈
is more versatile than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
LARGE
Known for Finding Nth Largest Value
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊
is easier to use than IFERROR
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
📊
is easier to use than IFERROR
📈
is more versatile than IFERROR
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
SUMIF
Known for Conditional Sum Calculations
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
POWER
Known for Exponential Calculations
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
⚙
performs better than IFERROR
🛠
is more reliable than IFERROR
⭐
is rated higher than IFERROR