Compact mode
SUM vs SUMIFS vs LOOKUP
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 typesSUMSUMIFSLOOKUPOperation 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
SUMIFS- CalculationSUMIFS performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations
LOOKUP- RetrievalLOOKUP 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*SUMSUMIFS- Financial ProfessionalsSUMIFS is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.
- AccountantsSUMIFS is designed for Accountants. Excel functions commonly used by accountants for financial tracking and reporting Click to see all.
LOOKUPPurpose 📝
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.
SUMIFS- Data AnalysisSUMIFS is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Financial CalculationsSUMIFS is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.
LOOKUP
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
SUMIFS- Multiple Condition SumSUMIFS is known for Multiple Condition Sum.
LOOKUP- Simple Vertical And Horizontal LookupsLOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
SUMIFS- Enhanced version of SUMIF
LOOKUP- Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
SUMIFS- When one condition isn't complicated enough
LOOKUP- Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMSUMIFSLOOKUP
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
SUMIFSLOOKUPVersion 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
SUM- 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
SUMIFS- Microsoft 365SUMIFS is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineSUMIFS is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
- Excel 2007SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version
- Excel 2010SUMIFS 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 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 properlySUMSUMIFSLOOKUPRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- RangeExcel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
- ArrayExcel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
SUM- NumberSUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
SUMIFS- NumberSUMIFS accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
SUMIFS- Multiple Conditions
- Accurate Calculations
- Flexible For Multiple Criteria
- Handles Large DatasetsFunctions optimized for processing and analyzing large amounts of data efficiently
- Easy To UnderstandFunctions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn
- Multiple Conditions SupportExcel functions handling multiple conditions enable complex logical operations and flexible data filtering
- Accurate ResultsFunctions that provide precise and reliable computational results
- Flexible
- Versatile Conditional SummingExcel functions that can perform flexible conditional sum calculations based on multiple criteria
- Supports Multiple Criteria
- Powerful For Multiple Criteria
- Flexible Conditions
LOOKUP- Simple To Understand
- Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
SUMIFS- Complex For Beginners
- Needs Sorted DataFunctions 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 DatasetsFunctions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.
- Limited To Sum Operation OnlyFunctions that can only add values without other mathematical operations Click to see all.
- Requires Sorted Data
LOOKUP- Limited To One-Way Lookups
- Requires Sorted Data
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
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value
⚙
performs better than SUM
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations
🔢
needs fewer arguments 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