Compact mode
SUM vs FIND vs IFERROR
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 typesSUMFINDIFERROROperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsSUM- CalculationSUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
FIND- ManipulationFIND performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways
IFERROR- CalculationIFERROR performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
Usage Context Comparison
Purpose 📝
Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel functionSUM- Data AnalysisSUM is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Data AggregationSUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.
FINDIFERROR
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
FIND- Text Search And Position FindingFIND is known for Text Search And Position Finding.
IFERROR- Error Handling And PreventionIFERROR is known for Error Handling And Prevention.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
FIND- Can search from left to right and right to left
IFERROR- Created after user complaints
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
FIND- Sometimes finds things you wish stayed hidden
IFERROR- Excel's way of saying 'nothing to see here'
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelyFor all*
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersFor all*- NumberExcel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
FINDIFERRORVersion Compatibility 💻
Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.For all*- Excel 2019Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2016Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
- Excel 2013Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
SUM- Microsoft 365SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
IFERROR- Excel 2007IFERROR is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version
Operating System 💾
Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platformsFor all*- WindowsExcel functions optimized for Windows operating system
- MacOSExcel functions optimized for MacOS users
SUM- Web ExcelSUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
FIND- Web ExcelFIND runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMFINDIFERRORRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
SUM- RangeSUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
FIND- TextFIND accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
IFERROR- ErrorIFERROR accepts Error as input types Excel functions designed to handle and manage calculation errors effectively
- RangeIFERROR accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
FIND- Easy To Use For Basic Text Searches
- Case-Sensitive Search Capability
IFERROR- Prevents Formula Errors
- Clean Presentation
- Easy To Implement
- Clear Error Messages
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
FIND- Limited To Text Strings Only
- Returns Error If Text Not FoundFunctions that produce errors when searched text is not present Click to see all.
IFERROR- Can Mask Real ErrorsFunctions that could conceal underlying data or calculation problems from users Click to see all.
- Binary Output Only
- Limited Flexibility
- Only Handles Errors
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to SUM
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
⚙
performs better than SUM
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢
needs fewer arguments than SUM
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation
⚙
performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
🔢
needs fewer arguments than SUM
ROUND
Known for Round Numbers
🔢
needs fewer arguments than SUM
⚙
performs better than SUM