Compact mode

SUM vs INDEX_MATCH vs AVERAGE

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.

INDEX_MATCH

Lookup & Reference

INDEX_MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets

AVERAGE

Statistical

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

INDEX_MATCH

Retrieval

INDEX_MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

AVERAGE

Calculation

AVERAGE performs Calculation operations. 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.

INDEX_MATCH

Business Managers

INDEX_MATCH 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.
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.

INDEX_MATCH

Data Lookup

INDEX_MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

Data Analysis

INDEX_MATCH is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing 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.

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.

INDEX_MATCH

Two-Way Lookup Power

INDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.

AVERAGE

Basic Statistical Calculation

AVERAGE is known for Basic Statistical Calculation.

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.

INDEX_MATCH

Excel 95

INDEX_MATCH was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 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.
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

INDEX_MATCH

Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas

AVERAGE

Most basic statistical function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

INDEX_MATCH

The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated

AVERAGE

Making averages average since Excel began

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

SUM

Simple

SUM has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

INDEX_MATCH

Advanced

INDEX_MATCH has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

AVERAGE

Simple

AVERAGE has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks Click to see all.

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

INDEX_MATCH

Array

INDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Range

INDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

AVERAGE

Number

AVERAGE accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
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

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

SUM

Excel Online

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

AVERAGE

Excel Online

AVERAGE 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

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.

INDEX_MATCH

3

INDEX_MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

AVERAGE

1

AVERAGE needs 1 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

Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

INDEX_MATCH

More Flexible Than VLOOKUP

Can Search Both Ways

Better Performance

Column Independent

AVERAGE

Simple To Use

Common Function

Universal
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

INDEX_MATCH

Requires Two Functions

Steeper Learning Curve

Complex Syntax

AVERAGE

Ignores Text

Includes Zero Values

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

Numbers Only

No Weights