Compact mode

SMALL vs DSUM vs DVAR

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

SMALL

Statistical

SMALL belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

DSUM

Database

DSUM belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data Click to see all.

DVAR

Statistical

DVAR belongs to the Statistical category. 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

DSUM

Aggregation

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

DVAR

Calculation

DVAR performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

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.

DSUM

Database Sum Operations

DSUM is known for Database Sum Operations.

DVAR

Database Variance

DVAR is known for Database Variance.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SMALL

Excel 97

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

DSUM

Excel 97

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

DVAR

Excel 95

DVAR was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release 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

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

DSUM

Less known but powerful feature

DVAR

Statisticians favorite database function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

DSUM

The calculator that went to business school

DVAR

Makes variance feel important

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.

DSUM

Advanced

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

DVAR

Advanced

DVAR 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.

DVAR

Array

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

Range

DVAR accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
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

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

DSUM

Excel 2016

DSUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

DVAR

Excel 97

DVAR 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
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.

DSUM

3

DSUM needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

DVAR

3

DVAR needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
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

SMALL

Number

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

DVAR

Text

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

Criteria

DVAR 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

SMALL

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Reliable Results

DSUM

Powerful Database Calculations

Excel functions for database calculations enable efficient handling of structured data collections

Complex Criteria Support

DVAR

Statistical Precision

Database Integration

Accurate Statistical Analysis

Database Compatible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

DSUM

Complicated Syntax

Requires Database Structure

DVAR

Limited Audience

Functions designed for particular user groups, reducing general usability Click to see all.

Complex Syntax

Complex For Beginners

Limited Use Cases