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
CONCATENATE
Known for Text Joining
📈
is more versatile than LEFT
⚙
performs better than LEFT
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📈
is more versatile than LEFT
⚙
performs better than LEFT
⭐
is rated higher than LEFT
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
🔢
needs fewer arguments than LEFT
📈
is more versatile than LEFT
⭐
is rated higher than LEFT
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
⚙
performs better than LEFT
⭐
is rated higher than LEFT
MID
Known for Extracting Text Segments
🔢
needs fewer arguments than LEFT
UPPER
Known for Converting Text To Uppercase
⚙
performs better than LEFT
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
⚙
performs better than LEFT
EXACT
Known for Case-Sensitive Comparison
⚙
performs better than LEFT