LEFT vs MID vs SEARCH
Compact mode

LEFT vs MID vs SEARCH

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 types
    For all*
    • Text
      Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data

  • Operation Type 🔧
    Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs
    For all*
    • Manipulation
      Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    LEFT
    • Text Extraction
      LEFT is known for Text Extraction.
    MID
    • Extracting Text Segments
      MID is known for Extracting Text Segments.
    SEARCH
    • Case-Insensitive Search
      SEARCH is known for Case-Insensitive Search.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    LEFT
    • Often paired with RIGHT
    MID
    • Used in early database systems
    SEARCH
    • Was inspired by word processing software

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    LEFT
    • The function that discriminates against right-handed people
    MID
    • The middle child of text functions
    SEARCH
    • Sometimes finds things you wish it hadn't

Usage Information Comparison

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    For all*

  • Version Compatibility 💻
    Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.
    For all*
    • Excel 2019
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
    • Excel 2016
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    LEFT
    • Microsoft 365
      LEFT is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      LEFT 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 platforms
    For all*
    • Windows
      Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system
    • MacOS
      Excel functions optimized for MacOS users
    • Web Excel
      Excel functions available in web-based versions

  • Required Arguments Count 🔢
    Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly
    LEFT
    MID
    SEARCH

  • 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
    LEFT
    • Number
      LEFT accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    MID
    • Number
      MID accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to LEFT
PROPER
Known for Capitalize First Letters
📈 is more versatile than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
SUBSTITUTE
Known for Replace Specific Text
📈 is more versatile than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📊 is easier to use than MID
📈 is more versatile than MID
⚙ performs better than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
📈 is more versatile than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
CONCATENATE
Known for Text Joining
📊 is easier to use than MID
📈 is more versatile than MID
⚙ performs better than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
CLEAN
Known for Removing Non-Printable Characters
📊 is easier to use than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
TEXTJOIN
Known for Advanced Text Combining
📈 is more versatile than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
📈 is more versatile than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
📊 is easier to use than MID
📈 is more versatile than MID
⚙ performs better than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
📊 is easier to use than MID
⚙ performs better than MID
🛠 is more reliable than MID
⭐ is rated higher than MID