Compact mode

SMALL vs COUNTIF vs FORECAST

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

For all*

Statistical

Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
Operation Type 🔧

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

SMALL

Calculation

SMALL performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

COUNTIF

Aggregation

COUNTIF performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

FORECAST

Calculation

FORECAST 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*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

SMALL

Statisticians

SMALL is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Statisticians

COUNTIF is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.

FORECAST

Financial Professionals

FORECAST is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

Scientists

FORECAST is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Statistical Analysis

Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis

COUNTIF

Data Analysis

COUNTIF is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

COUNTIF

Counting With Conditions

COUNTIF is known for Counting With Conditions.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 97

Functions first available in Excel 97 version
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

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

COUNTIF

Counting made fascinating

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

COUNTIF

The function that makes counting harder than it should be

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SMALL

Simple

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

COUNTIF

Simple

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

FORECAST

Advanced

FORECAST has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

SMALL

Array

SMALL accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

COUNTIF

Text

COUNTIF accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see 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

COUNTIF

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

COUNTIF 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

COUNTIF

Web Excel

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

FORECAST

Web Excel

FORECAST runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNTIF

2

COUNTIF needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

FORECAST

3

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

SMALL

Range

SMALL accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

COUNTIF

Range

COUNTIF accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

Text

COUNTIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

FORECAST

Array

FORECAST accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SMALL

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Reliable Results

COUNTIF

Easy Conditional Counting

Flexible Criteria

Simple To Use

Efficient

FORECAST

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results

Trend Analysis

Professional

Scientific Prediction

Based On Historical Data

Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

COUNTIF

Limited To Single Condition

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.

Limited Criteria Options

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers