SUM vs SMALL vs FORECAST
Compact mode

SUM vs SMALL vs FORECAST

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Basic Arithmetic Calculations
      SUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
    SMALL
    • Finding Nth Smallest Value
      SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.
    FORECAST
    • Linear Trend Prediction
      FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    SMALL
    • Commonly used in grade calculations
    FORECAST
    • Based on least squares regression method

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    SMALL
    • The underachiever of the statistical functions
    FORECAST
    • The crystal ball of Excel functions

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

  • 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
    SUM
    • Microsoft 365
      SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      SUM 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
    SUM
    • Web Excel
      SUM 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
    SUM
    SMALL
    FORECAST

  • 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
    SUM
    • Range
      SUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Array
      SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    SMALL
    • Range
      SMALL accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    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
    SUM
    • Easy To Use
    • Widely Recognized
    • Versatile
    • Fast Calculation
    SMALL
    • Easy To Understand
      Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
    • Reliable Results
    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
    SUM
    • Limited To Numbers Only
    • Cannot Handle Text
    • No Text Handling
    SMALL
    • Array Size Limitations
    • Static Ranking
    FORECAST
    • Assumes Linear Relationship
    • Complex Setup
    • Sensitive To Outliers

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
LARGE
Known for Finding Nth Largest Value
COUNTIF
Known for Counting With Conditions
📈 is more versatile than SMALL
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
⚙ performs better than SMALL
🛠 is more reliable than SMALL
⭐ is rated higher 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
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
📊 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
DSUM
Known for Database Sum Operations
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SMALL
📈 is more versatile than SMALL