Compact mode

UNIQUE vs SORT vs DSUM

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*

Database

Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data
Operation Type 🔧

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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

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

SORT

Manipulation

SORT performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

DSUM

Aggregation

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

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

UNIQUE

Business Managers

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

Administrative Staff

UNIQUE is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

SORT

Business Managers

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

DSUM

Financial Professionals

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

DSUM

Financial Calculations

DSUM is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

SORT

Dynamic Sorting

SORT is known for Dynamic Sorting.

DSUM

Database Sum Operations

DSUM is known for Database Sum Operations.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

UNIQUE was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

SORT

Excel 2019

SORT was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

DSUM

Excel 97

DSUM was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version 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

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

SORT

First dynamic array sorting function

DSUM

Less known but powerful feature
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

SORT

The librarian of Excel functions

DSUM

The calculator that went to business school

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

SORT

Intermediate

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

UNIQUE

Array

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

Range

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

SORT

Array

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

Range

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

DSUM

Number

DSUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
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

UNIQUE

Microsoft 365

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

SORT

Microsoft 365

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

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
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

UNIQUE

Excel Online

UNIQUE runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

SORT

Excel Online

SORT runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

Web Excel

SORT 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

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SORT

1

SORT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

DSUM

3

DSUM 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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes

SORT

Automatic Sorting

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes

Multiple Columns

Automatic Updates

DSUM

Powerful Database Calculations

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

Complex Criteria Support
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

SORT

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Space Requirements

Resource Intensive

Functions that consume significant computer memory and processing power Click to see all.

DSUM

Complicated Syntax

Requires Database Structure