Compact mode

COUNT vs SORT vs VLOOKUP

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

COUNT

Mathematical

COUNT belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

SORT

Database

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

VLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

VLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
Operation Type 🔧

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

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

SORT

Manipulation

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

VLOOKUP

Retrieval

VLOOKUP 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

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

VLOOKUP

Administrative Staff

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

VLOOKUP

Data Lookup

VLOOKUP 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

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

SORT

Dynamic Sorting

SORT is known for Dynamic Sorting.

VLOOKUP

Vertical Data Search

VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

COUNT

Excel 2.0

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

SORT

Excel 2019

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

VLOOKUP

Excel 3.0

VLOOKUP was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 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

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets

SORT

First dynamic array sorting function

VLOOKUP

Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

SORT

The librarian of Excel functions

VLOOKUP

The function everyone pretends to understand

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

COUNT

Simple

COUNT has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and 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.

VLOOKUP

Intermediate

VLOOKUP 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

COUNT

Number

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

Array

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

Range

COUNT 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

VLOOKUP

Text

VLOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Number

VLOOKUP 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

COUNT

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

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

SORT

Microsoft 365

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

VLOOKUP

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

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

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

VLOOKUP 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

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions

SORT

Excel Online

SORT runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SORT

1

SORT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

VLOOKUP

4

VLOOKUP needs 4 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

COUNT

Number

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

Array

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

VLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

Boolean

VLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making