SUM vs UNIQUE vs PRODUCT
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SUM vs UNIQUE vs PRODUCT

Table of content

Basic Classification Comparison

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.
    UNIQUE
    • Duplicate Removal
      UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.
    PRODUCT
    • Multiplying Numbers Together
      PRODUCT is known for Multiplying Numbers Together.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    UNIQUE
    • First array-based duplicate remover
    PRODUCT
    • Can multiply up to 255 numbers at once

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    UNIQUE
    • Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party
    PRODUCT
    • The function that failed elementary school's 'times tables'

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
    UNIQUE
    PRODUCT
    • Number
      PRODUCT accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

  • 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
    SUM
    • 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
    • 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
    UNIQUE
    • Microsoft 365
      UNIQUE is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    PRODUCT
    • Excel 2016
      PRODUCT is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
    • Excel 2013
      PRODUCT 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
    UNIQUE
    • Excel Online
      UNIQUE runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
    PRODUCT
    • Web Excel
      PRODUCT 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
    For all*

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    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
    • Array
      SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    UNIQUE
    • Range
      UNIQUE accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    PRODUCT
    • Number
      PRODUCT accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • Array
      PRODUCT 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
    UNIQUE
    • Removes Duplicates Automatically
      Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently
    • Dynamic Results
      Functions that automatically update results when source data changes
    • Simple Syntax
    • Automatically Updates
      Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes
    PRODUCT
    • Handles Multiple Arguments
      Functions capable of processing multiple input parameters simultaneously
    • Array Compatible

  • Cons ❌
    Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function
    SUM
    • Limited To Numbers Only
    • Cannot Handle Text
    • No Text Handling
    UNIQUE
    • Requires Latest Excel Versions
    • Array Spillover Needs Space
    • Limited To Newer Versions
    • Single Operation
    PRODUCT
    • Can Overflow With Large Numbers
    • No Selective Multiplication

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells
⚙ performs better than SUM
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum
🔢 needs fewer arguments 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
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
ISBLANK
Known for Empty Cell Detection
⚙ performs better than SUM
🛠 is more reliable 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