SUM vs FORECAST vs DSTDEV
Compact mode

SUM vs FORECAST vs DSTDEV

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.
    FORECAST
    • Linear Trend Prediction
      FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.
    DSTDEV
    • Database Standard Deviation
      DSTDEV is known for Database Standard Deviation.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    FORECAST
    • Based on least squares regression method
    DSTDEV
    • Most used in quality control

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    FORECAST
    • The crystal ball of Excel functions
    DSTDEV
    • The deviation detective

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
    DSTDEV

  • 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
    SUM
    • Excel 2016
      SUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • 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
    FORECAST
    • Excel 2016
      FORECAST is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      FORECAST is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    DSTDEV
    • Excel 97
      DSTDEV is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 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
    SUM
    • Web Excel
      SUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
    FORECAST
    • Web Excel
      FORECAST 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
    FORECAST
    DSTDEV

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    SUM
    • Number
      SUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • 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
    FORECAST
    • Array
      FORECAST accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    • Number
      FORECAST accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    DSTDEV
    • Range
      DSTDEV accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    • Text
      DSTDEV accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Criteria
      DSTDEV accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations

Evaluation Comparison

  • Pros ✅
    Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Easy To Use
    • Widely Recognized
    • Versatile
    • Fast Calculation
    FORECAST
    • Statistical Accuracy
      Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results
    • Trend Analysis
    • Professional
    • Scientific Prediction
    • Based On Historical Data
      Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data
    DSTDEV
    • Statistical Accuracy
      Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results
    • Database Filtering
      Functions that filter and sort database-like data structures
    • Accurate Statistical Measure
      Functions that provide accurate statistical calculations and metrics
    • Database Friendly

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Limited To Numbers Only
    • Cannot Handle Text
    • No Text Handling
    FORECAST
    • Assumes Linear Relationship
    • Complex Setup
    • Sensitive To Outliers
    DSTDEV
    • Complex Implementation
    • Limited Use Cases
    • Limited Application
    • Complex Setup

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