Compact mode

SUM vs ISBLANK vs SUMIFS

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.

ISBLANK

Information

ISBLANK belongs to the Information category. Excel functions that provide information about cells and data

SUMIFS

Mathematical

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

ISBLANK

Comparison

ISBLANK performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

SUMIFS

Calculation

SUMIFS 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.

ISBLANK

Business Managers

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

SUMIFS

Financial Professionals

SUMIFS is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

Accountants

SUMIFS is designed for Accountants. Excel functions commonly used by accountants for financial tracking and reporting Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

SUM

Data Aggregation

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

SUMIFS

Financial Calculations

SUMIFS is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary 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.

ISBLANK

Empty Cell Detection

ISBLANK is known for Empty Cell Detection.

SUMIFS

Multiple Condition Sum

SUMIFS is known for Multiple Condition Sum.

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.

ISBLANK

Excel 2.0

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

SUMIFS

Excel 2007

SUMIFS 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

ISBLANK

Originally designed to detect truly empty cells

SUMIFS

Enhanced version of SUMIF
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

ISBLANK

Sometimes mistakes spaces for emptiness

SUMIFS

When one condition isn't complicated enough

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.

ISBLANK

Simple

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

SUMIFS

Intermediate

SUMIFS has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various 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

ISBLANK

Boolean

ISBLANK accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values

SUMIFS

Number

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

Array

SUMIFS accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data 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

SUMIFS

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

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

Excel 2007

SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version

Excel 2010

SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2010 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2010 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

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.

ISBLANK

1

ISBLANK needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SUMIFS

3

SUMIFS needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUM

Number

SUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Array

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

SUMIFS

Number

SUMIFS accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Array

SUMIFS accepts Array as input types 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

ISBLANK

Easy To Use

Reliable For Data Validation

Simple Syntax

SUMIFS

Multiple Conditions

Accurate Calculations

Flexible For Multiple Criteria

Handles Large Datasets

Functions optimized for processing and analyzing large amounts of data efficiently

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Multiple Conditions Support

Excel functions handling multiple conditions enable complex logical operations and flexible data filtering

Accurate Results

Functions that provide precise and reliable computational results

Flexible

Versatile Conditional Summing

Excel functions that can perform flexible conditional sum calculations based on multiple criteria

Supports Multiple Criteria

Powerful For Multiple Criteria

Flexible Conditions
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

ISBLANK

Limited To Cell Emptiness Only

Cannot Detect Whitespace

SUMIFS

Complex For Beginners

Needs Sorted Data

Functions that only work correctly when the data is pre-sorted in a specific order Click to see all.

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited To Sum Operations

Performance Issues With Large Ranges

Cannot Use OR Conditions

Complex Syntax

Can Be Slow With Large Datasets

Functions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.

Limited To Sum Operation Only

Functions that can only add values without other mathematical operations Click to see all.

Requires Sorted Data