Compact mode

SUM vs AVERAGE vs IFERROR

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison
Usage Context Comparison
Basic Information Comparison
History Comparison
Facts Comparison

Usage Information Comparison
Technical Details Comparison
Evaluation Comparison
Ratings Comparison

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

Mathematical

SUM belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

AVERAGE

Statistical

AVERAGE belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations

IFERROR

Logical

IFERROR belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

SUM

Business Managers

SUM is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

AVERAGE

Students

AVERAGE is designed for Students. Excel functions helpful for academic work and learning Click to see all.

IFERROR

Business Managers

IFERROR is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SUM

Data Analysis

SUM is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

Data Aggregation

SUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

AVERAGE

Statistical Analysis

AVERAGE is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

IFERROR

Error Handling

IFERROR is used for Error Handling. Excel functions for error handling help identify and manage errors in formulas and calculations Click to see all.

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.

AVERAGE

Basic Statistical Calculation

AVERAGE is known for Basic Statistical Calculation.

IFERROR

Error Handling And Prevention

IFERROR is known for Error Handling And Prevention.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUM

Excel 2.0

SUM was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

AVERAGE

Excel 2.0

AVERAGE was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

IFERROR

Excel 2007

IFERROR was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 release Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

For all*

Microsoft Excel Team

Functions officially created by the Microsoft Excel development team

Facts Comparison

Interesting Fact 💡

Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function

SUM

Most commonly used function in Excel

AVERAGE

Most basic statistical function

IFERROR

Created after user complaints
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

AVERAGE

Making averages average since Excel began

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 effectively

For all*

Simple

Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks

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

IFERROR

Text

IFERROR accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Error

IFERROR accepts Error as input data. Excel functions for managing and handling error values Click to see all.
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

AVERAGE

Microsoft 365

AVERAGE is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

AVERAGE is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

IFERROR

Excel 2007

IFERROR 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 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

AVERAGE

Web Excel

AVERAGE 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

1

SUM needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

AVERAGE

1

AVERAGE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

IFERROR

2

IFERROR needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
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

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUM

Array

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

AVERAGE

Array

AVERAGE accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

IFERROR

Error

IFERROR accepts Error as input types Excel functions designed to handle and manage calculation errors effectively

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

AVERAGE

Simple To Use

Common Function

Universal

IFERROR

Prevents Formula Errors

Clean Presentation

Easy To Implement

Clear Error Messages
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

AVERAGE

Ignores Text

Includes Zero Values

Functions that consider zero values in calculations, impacting statistical results Click to see all.

Numbers Only

No Weights

IFERROR

Can Mask Real Errors

Functions that could conceal underlying data or calculation problems from users Click to see all.

Binary Output Only

Limited Flexibility

Only Handles Errors