SUM vs COUNTBLANK vs COLUMN
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SUM vs COUNTBLANK vs COLUMN

Table of content

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
    SUM
    COUNTBLANK
    • Statistical
      COUNTBLANK belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
    COLUMN
    • Lookup & Reference
      COLUMN 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
    SUM
    • Calculation
      SUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
    COUNTBLANK
    • Calculation
      COUNTBLANK performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
    COLUMN
    • Information
      COLUMN performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

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.
    COUNTBLANK
    • Empty Cell Counter
      COUNTBLANK is known for Empty Cell Counter.
    COLUMN
    • Column Number Retrieval
      COLUMN is known for Column Number Retrieval.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    COUNTBLANK
    • Originally created to find missing data entries
    COLUMN
    • Essential for column calculations

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    COUNTBLANK
    • The introvert of Excel functions - only looks for empty spaces
    COLUMN
    • The vertical cousin of ROW function

Usage Information Comparison

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    SUM
    • Number
      SUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
    COUNTBLANK
    • Range
      COUNTBLANK accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
    COLUMN
    • Range
      COLUMN accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

  • 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
    SUM
    • 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
    COUNTBLANK
    • Microsoft 365
      COUNTBLANK is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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

  • Required Arguments Count 🔢
    Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly
    SUM
    COUNTBLANK
    COLUMN
      ~

  • 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
    SUM
    • Number
      SUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • Array
      SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
⚙ performs better than SUM
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
⚙ performs better than SUM
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙ performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value
⚙ performs better than SUM
PRODUCT
Known for Multiplying Numbers Together
ROUND
Known for Round Numbers
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM
⚙ performs better than SUM
IF
Known for Conditional Statements
🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM
📈 is more versatile than SUM