Compact mode

IF vs IFS vs DATEDIF

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

IF

Logical

IF belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

IFS

Logical

IFS belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Date & Time

DATEDIF belongs to the Date & Time category. Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

IF

Comparison

IF performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

IFS

Comparison

IFS performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Calculation

DATEDIF 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 function

For all*

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

IF

Data Analysts

IF is designed for Data Analysts. Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation Click to see all.

Administrative Staff

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

IFS

Analysts

IFS is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Analysts

DATEDIF is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

IF

Conditional Logic

IF is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.

IFS

Conditional Logic

IFS is used for Conditional Logic. Functions used for conditional calculations and logic operations Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Date Calculations

DATEDIF is used for Date Calculations. Functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

IF

Conditional Statements

IF is known for Conditional Statements.

IFS

Multiple Condition Handling

IFS is known for Multiple Condition Handling.

DATEDIF

Date Difference Calculations

DATEDIF is known for Date Difference Calculations.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

IF

Excel 2.0

IF was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

IFS

Excel 2016

IFS was created in Excel 2016. Functions that came with Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Excel 97

DATEDIF was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.
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

IF

Most nested function

IFS

Replaced nested IF statements

DATEDIF

Not listed in Excel's function wizard
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

IF

Making simple decisions complicated

IFS

Like a traffic controller for logical conditions

DATEDIF

The function Microsoft tried to hide but failed

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

IF

Simple

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

IFS

Intermediate

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

DATEDIF

Intermediate

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

IF

Boolean

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

IFS

Boolean

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

DATEDIF

Date

DATEDIF accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

For all*

Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

IF

Excel 2019

IF is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

Excel 2013

IF is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

Microsoft 365

IF is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

IF is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

IFS

Microsoft 365

IFS is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

DATEDIF

Excel 2019

DATEDIF is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 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

IF

Web Excel

IF runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

IFS

Excel Online

IFS 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 properly

IF

3

IF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

IFS

2

IFS needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DATEDIF

3

DATEDIF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

IF

Boolean

IF accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making

Number

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

IFS

Boolean

IFS accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making

DATEDIF

Date

DATEDIF accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

IF

Simple Logic Implementation

Versatile

Flexible

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

IFS

Multiple Condition Support

Clean Syntax

Functions with clear and easy-to-understand syntax structure

Logical Flow

DATEDIF

Accurate Date Calculations

Multiple Units
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

IF

Nested IFs Can Be Complex

Functions where multiple IF statements become difficult to manage and understand Click to see all.

Limited Conditions

Nested IFs Get Complex

IFS

All Conditions Must Be Specified

Functions that need complete condition specification can be inflexible and prone to errors if any condition is missing Click to see all.

Order Sensitive

DATEDIF

Hidden Function

Documentation Limitations