SUBSTITUTE vs DATEDIF vs NOW
Compact mode

SUBSTITUTE vs DATEDIF vs NOW

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

  • Known For ⭐
    Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Replace Specific Text
      SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.
    DATEDIF
    • Date Difference Calculations
      DATEDIF is known for Date Difference Calculations.
    NOW
    • Current Date And Time Retrieval
      NOW is known for Current Date And Time Retrieval.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Originally designed for mail merge operations
    DATEDIF
    • Not listed in Excel's function wizard
    NOW
    • Updates approximately 86400 times per day

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Find and replace's overachieving cousin
    DATEDIF
    • The function Microsoft tried to hide but failed
    NOW
    • The function that never lets you forget you're late

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    SUBSTITUTE
    DATEDIF
    • Date
      DATEDIF accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values
    NOW
    • Date
      NOW accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values

  • 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Excel 2013
      SUBSTITUTE is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    NOW
    • Excel 2013
      NOW 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Web Excel
      SUBSTITUTE runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
    NOW
    • Web Excel
      NOW 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
    SUBSTITUTE
    DATEDIF
    NOW
      ~

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Text
      SUBSTITUTE accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Number
      SUBSTITUTE accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    DATEDIF
    • Date
      DATEDIF accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations
    • Text
      DATEDIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    NOW
    • Date
      NOW accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Multiple Replacements
    • Case Sensitive
    • Precise
    DATEDIF
    • Accurate Date Calculations
    • Multiple Units
    NOW
    • No Arguments Needed
      Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup
    • Updates Automatically

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    SUBSTITUTE
    • Requires Exact Match
    • Complex Syntax
    DATEDIF
    • Hidden Function
    • Documentation Limitations
    NOW
    • Updates With Every Calculation
    • Can Slow Spreadsheets

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUBSTITUTE
MID
Known for Extracting Text Segments
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
LEFT
Known for Text Extraction
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
RIGHT
Known for Extract Rightmost Characters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
TRIM
Known for Remove Extra Spaces
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
CLEAN
Known for Removing Non-Printable Characters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
TEXT
Known for Number Formatting
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
FIND
Known for Text Search And Position Finding
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
LEN
Known for Character Count Calculation
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
LOWER
Known for Convert Text To Lowercase
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE
⚙ performs better than SUBSTITUTE
PROPER
Known for Capitalize First Letters
📊 is easier to use than SUBSTITUTE