AVERAGE vs SMALL vs DSTDEV
Compact mode

AVERAGE vs SMALL vs DSTDEV

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*
    • Statistical
      Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

  • Operation Type 🔧
    Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs
    For all*
    • Calculation
      Excel functions for performing various calculations

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    AVERAGE
    • Basic Statistical Calculation
      AVERAGE is known for Basic Statistical Calculation.
    SMALL
    • Finding Nth Smallest Value
      SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.
    DSTDEV
    • Database Standard Deviation
      DSTDEV is known for Database Standard Deviation.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    AVERAGE
    • Most basic statistical function
    SMALL
    • Commonly used in grade calculations
    DSTDEV
    • Most used in quality control

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    AVERAGE
    • Making averages average since Excel began
    SMALL
    • The underachiever of the statistical functions
    DSTDEV
    • The deviation detective

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
    DSTDEV

  • 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
    AVERAGE
    • Excel 2016
      AVERAGE is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      AVERAGE is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    • Microsoft 365
      AVERAGE is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      AVERAGE is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
    SMALL
    • Excel 2016
      SMALL is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      SMALL is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    DSTDEV
    • Excel 97
      DSTDEV is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 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
    AVERAGE
    • Web Excel
      AVERAGE 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
    AVERAGE
    SMALL
    DSTDEV

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    For all*
    • Range
      Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    AVERAGE
    • Number
      AVERAGE accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • Array
      AVERAGE accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    SMALL
    • Number
      SMALL accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    DSTDEV
    • Text
      DSTDEV accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Criteria
      DSTDEV accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    AVERAGE
    • Simple To Use
    • Common Function
    • Universal
    SMALL
    • Easy To Understand
      Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
    • Reliable Results
    DSTDEV
    • Statistical Accuracy
      Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results
    • Database Filtering
      Functions that filter and sort database-like data structures
    • Accurate Statistical Measure
      Functions that provide accurate statistical calculations and metrics
    • Database Friendly

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    AVERAGE
    SMALL
    • Array Size Limitations
    • Static Ranking
    DSTDEV
    • Complex Implementation
    • Limited Use Cases
    • Limited Application
    • Complex Setup

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to AVERAGE
LARGE
Known for Finding Nth Largest Value
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
⚙ performs better than SMALL
🛠 is more reliable than SMALL
⭐ is rated higher than SMALL
COUNTIF
Known for Counting With Conditions
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
⭐ is rated higher than SMALL
MODE
Known for Finding Most Frequent Value
⚙ performs better than SMALL
SUMIF
Known for Conditional Sum Calculations
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
IFERROR
Known for Error Handling And Prevention
📊 is easier to use than SMALL
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
📊 is easier to use than SMALL
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
⚙ performs better than SMALL
🛠 is more reliable than SMALL
⭐ is rated higher than SMALL
AVERAGEIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Based Average
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
DSUM
Known for Database Sum Operations
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SMALL
📈 is more versatile than SMALL