Compact mode
SUM vs INDEX_MATCH vs INDEX
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 typesSUMINDEX_MATCH- Lookup & ReferenceINDEX_MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
INDEX- Lookup & ReferenceINDEX 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 inputsSUM- CalculationSUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
INDEX_MATCH- RetrievalINDEX_MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
INDEX- RetrievalINDEX performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*SUMINDEX_MATCHINDEXPurpose 📝
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.
INDEX_MATCH- Data LookupINDEX_MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.
- Data AnalysisINDEX_MATCH is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
INDEX
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
INDEX_MATCH- Two-Way Lookup PowerINDEX_MATCH is known for Two-Way Lookup Power.
INDEX- Advanced Data RetrievalINDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
INDEX_MATCH- Used in 80% of advanced Excel formulas
INDEX- Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
INDEX_MATCH- The relationship status of Excel functions: It's complicated
INDEX- The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMINDEX_MATCHINDEX
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersSUM- NumberSUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
INDEX_MATCH- ArrayINDEX_MATCH accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
- RangeINDEX_MATCH accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets
INDEX- ArrayINDEX accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
- RangeINDEX 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 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
- Microsoft 365Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
SUM- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
INDEX- Excel OnlineINDEX 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 platformsFor all*- WindowsExcel functions optimized for Windows operating system
- MacOSExcel functions optimized for MacOS users
- Web ExcelExcel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMINDEX_MATCHINDEXRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- ArrayExcel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
SUM- RangeSUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
INDEX_MATCH- RangeINDEX_MATCH 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
INDEX_MATCH- More Flexible Than VLOOKUP
- Can Search Both Ways
- Better Performance
- Column Independent
INDEX- Powerful With MATCHExcel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities
- Flexible LookupExcel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching
- Very Flexible
- Fast Performance
- PowerfulPowerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation
- Flexible
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
INDEX_MATCH- Requires Two Functions
- Steeper Learning Curve
- Complex Syntax
INDEX- Complex Syntax
- Requires Understanding
- Complex For Beginners
- Requires Understanding Of Arrays
- Learning Curve
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to SUM
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
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
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