Compact mode

SUM vs TRANSPOSE vs SUBTOTAL

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.

TRANSPOSE

Lookup & Reference

TRANSPOSE belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

SUBTOTAL

Mathematical

SUBTOTAL 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

TRANSPOSE

Manipulation

TRANSPOSE performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways

SUBTOTAL

Aggregation

SUBTOTAL performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

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.

TRANSPOSE

Engineers

TRANSPOSE is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.

SUBTOTAL

Accountants

SUBTOTAL 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.

SUBTOTAL

Data Aggregation

SUBTOTAL is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing 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.

TRANSPOSE

Converting Row Data To Columns

TRANSPOSE is known for Converting Row Data To Columns.

SUBTOTAL

Filtered Data Calculations

SUBTOTAL is known for Filtered Data Calculations.

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.

TRANSPOSE

Excel 2.0

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

SUBTOTAL

Excel 97

SUBTOTAL was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 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

TRANSPOSE

Originally designed for matrix operations

SUBTOTAL

Can Perform 11 Different Operations
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

TRANSPOSE

The function that helps you do yoga with your data

SUBTOTAL

The Swiss Army Knife of Excel Functions

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.

TRANSPOSE

Simple

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

SUBTOTAL

Intermediate

SUBTOTAL 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

TRANSPOSE

Array

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

SUBTOTAL

Number

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

Array

SUBTOTAL 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

SUM

Excel 2013

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

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

TRANSPOSE

Excel 2013

TRANSPOSE 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 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

TRANSPOSE

Web Excel

TRANSPOSE 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.

TRANSPOSE

1

TRANSPOSE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SUBTOTAL

2

SUBTOTAL needs 2 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

TRANSPOSE

Range

TRANSPOSE accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUBTOTAL

Number

SUBTOTAL 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

TRANSPOSE

Easy To Use

Visual Data Restructuring

SUBTOTAL

Ignores Hidden Rows

Multiple Functions
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

TRANSPOSE

Must Be Entered As Array Formula

Size Limitations

SUBTOTAL

Function Code Memorization

Limited Operations