Compact mode

SMALL vs MODE vs LOOKUP

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

MODE

Statistical

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

LOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

LOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
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

MODE

Calculation

MODE performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

LOOKUP

Retrieval

LOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

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.

MODE

Scientists

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

LOOKUP

Business Managers

LOOKUP is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SMALL

Statistical Analysis

SMALL is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

MODE

Statistical Analysis

MODE is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Data Lookup

LOOKUP is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific 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.

MODE

Finding Most Frequent Value

MODE is known for Finding Most Frequent Value.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

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.

MODE

Excel 2.0

MODE was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Excel 2.0

LOOKUP was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version 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

MODE

One of the original statistical functions

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

MODE

Finds the popularity contest winner in your data

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

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.

MODE

Intermediate

MODE has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks 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

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

LOOKUP

Text

LOOKUP 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
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

MODE

Web Excel

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

LOOKUP

Web Excel

LOOKUP 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.

MODE

1

MODE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

SMALL

Number

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

Range

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

MODE

Number

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

Array

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

LOOKUP

Array

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

Range

LOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges 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

MODE

Easy Statistical Analysis

Quick Results

Reliable

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

MODE

Only Works With Numbers

Limited To Single Mode

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data