Compact mode
SUM vs SUBTOTAL vs LARGE
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 typesSUMSUBTOTALLARGE- StatisticalLARGE 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 inputsSUM- CalculationSUM performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
SUBTOTALLARGE- CalculationLARGE 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 functionFor all*SUMSUBTOTALLARGEPurpose 📝
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.
SUBTOTAL- Data AnalysisSUBTOTAL is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Data AggregationSUBTOTAL is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.
LARGE
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
SUBTOTAL- Filtered Data CalculationsSUBTOTAL is known for Filtered Data Calculations.
LARGE- Finding Nth Largest ValueLARGE is known for Finding Nth Largest Value.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
SUBTOTAL- Can Perform 11 Different Operations
LARGE- Popular in sports statistics
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
SUBTOTAL- The Swiss Army Knife of Excel Functions
LARGE- The function for people who think being average isn't good enough
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMSUBTOTALLARGE
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersFor all*- NumberExcel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
SUBTOTALLARGEVersion 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
SUM- Excel 2013SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
- Microsoft 365SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
LARGE- Excel 2013LARGE is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
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
SUM- Web ExcelSUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMSUBTOTALLARGERequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
SUM- RangeSUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
SUBTOTAL- ArraySUBTOTAL accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
LARGE- RangeLARGE 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
SUBTOTAL- Ignores Hidden Rows
- Multiple Functions
LARGE- Simple To Use
- Flexible Ranking
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
SUBTOTAL- Function Code Memorization
- Limited Operations
LARGE- Array Size Limitations
- Not Dynamic
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