Compact mode

SUM vs LAMBDA vs INDEX

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.

LAMBDA

Engineering

LAMBDA belongs to the Engineering category. Excel functions designed for engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

INDEX 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 inputs

SUM

Calculation

SUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

LAMBDA

Calculation

LAMBDA performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

INDEX

Retrieval

INDEX 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 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.

LAMBDA

Programmers

LAMBDA is designed for Programmers. Excel functions useful for programming and automation tasks Click to see all.

INDEX

Financial Professionals

INDEX is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning 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.

LAMBDA

Data Analysis

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

Custom Functions

LAMBDA is used for Custom Functions. Functions that allow user-defined custom calculations Click to see all.

INDEX

Data Lookup

INDEX is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data 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.

LAMBDA

Custom Function Creation

LAMBDA is known for Custom Function Creation.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

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.

LAMBDA

Excel 365

LAMBDA was created in Excel 365. Functions available in Excel 365 subscription Click to see all.

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version 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

LAMBDA

Brings programming concepts to Excel

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

LAMBDA

Like teaching Excel to speak programmer

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 effectively

SUM

Simple

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

LAMBDA

Advanced

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

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations 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

LAMBDA

Array

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

Any

LAMBDA accepts Any as input data. Excel functions that can handle multiple types of input data

INDEX

Array

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

Range

INDEX 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*

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

SUM

Excel 2019

SUM is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

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

Excel Online

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

INDEX

Excel 2019

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version

Excel 2016

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

INDEX is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

Excel Online

INDEX 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

SUM

Web Excel

SUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

LAMBDA

Excel Online

LAMBDA runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

INDEX

Web Excel

INDEX 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.

LAMBDA

1

LAMBDA needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

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

LAMBDA

Any

LAMBDA accepts Any as input types Excel functions that can process multiple types of input arguments without restrictions

INDEX

Number

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

LAMBDA

Reusable Code

Excel functions with reusable code enable efficient formula implementation across different scenarios

Custom Functions

Functions that allow user-defined customization and operations

Recursive Capability

Reusable Custom Functions

Reduces Complexity

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation

Flexible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

LAMBDA

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Modern Excel Only

Recent Addition

Advanced Concept

Functions that require advanced Excel knowledge and complex understanding to use effectively Click to see all.

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve