SUM vs SUBTOTAL vs COUNTIF
Compact mode

SUM vs SUBTOTAL vs COUNTIF

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.
    SUBTOTAL
    • Filtered Data Calculations
      SUBTOTAL is known for Filtered Data Calculations.
    COUNTIF
    • Counting With Conditions
      COUNTIF is known for Counting With Conditions.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    SUBTOTAL
    • Can Perform 11 Different Operations
    COUNTIF
    • Counting made fascinating

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    SUBTOTAL
    • The Swiss Army Knife of Excel Functions
    COUNTIF
    • The function that makes counting harder than it should be

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
    SUBTOTAL
    COUNTIF

  • 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
    SUM
    • Excel 2013
      SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    • 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
    COUNTIF
    • Excel 2013
      COUNTIF is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    • Microsoft 365
      COUNTIF is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      COUNTIF 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
    COUNTIF
    • Web Excel
      COUNTIF 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
    SUBTOTAL
    COUNTIF

  • 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
    SUBTOTAL
    • Array
      SUBTOTAL accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    COUNTIF
    • Range
      COUNTIF accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      COUNTIF accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
COUNTIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Counting
📈 is more versatile than SUBTOTAL
⭐ is rated higher than SUBTOTAL
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL
SUMIF
Known for Conditional Sum Calculations
📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL
MAXIFS
Known for Multiple Criteria Max
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL
SUMPRODUCT
Known for Matrix Multiplication Calculations
📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL
⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL
🛠 is more reliable than SUBTOTAL
⭐ is rated higher than SUBTOTAL
LARGE
Known for Finding Nth Largest Value
📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL
SMALL
Known for Finding Nth Smallest Value
📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL
PMT
Known for Calculate Loan Payments
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL
⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL
🛠 is more reliable than SUBTOTAL
MODE
Known for Finding Most Frequent Value
📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL
⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL
DSUM
Known for Database Sum Operations
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL