SUM vs VLOOKUP vs HLOOKUP
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SUM vs VLOOKUP vs HLOOKUP

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 types
    SUM
    VLOOKUP
    • Lookup & Reference
      VLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets
    HLOOKUP
    • Lookup & Reference
      HLOOKUP 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
    VLOOKUP
    • Retrieval
      VLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources
    HLOOKUP
    • Retrieval
      HLOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

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.
    VLOOKUP
    • Vertical Data Search
      VLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.
    HLOOKUP
    • Horizontal Data Lookup
      HLOOKUP is known for Horizontal Data Lookup.

Facts Comparison

  • Interesting Fact 💡
    Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Most commonly used function in Excel
    VLOOKUP
    • Often confused with HLOOKUP
    HLOOKUP
    • Often confused with VLOOKUP

  • Sarcastic Fact 🤣
    Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function
    SUM
    • Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
    VLOOKUP
    • The function everyone pretends to understand
    HLOOKUP
    • The forgotten sibling of VLOOKUP

Technical Details Comparison

  • Input Data Type 📝
    Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters
    For all*
    • Number
      Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations
    VLOOKUP
    HLOOKUP

  • 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
    • Excel 2013
      Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
    SUM
    • 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
    VLOOKUP
    • Microsoft 365
      VLOOKUP is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
    • Excel Online
      VLOOKUP 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
    VLOOKUP
    • Web Excel
      VLOOKUP 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
    VLOOKUP
    HLOOKUP

  • Required Arguments Type 📊
    The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function
    For all*
    • Number
      Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
    • Range
      Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations
    SUM
    • Array
      SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
    VLOOKUP
    • Text
      VLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing
    • Boolean
      VLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making
    HLOOKUP
    • Text
      HLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Evaluation Comparison

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM
COUNT
Known for Counting Numeric Cells
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
TRANSPOSE
Known for Converting Row Data To Columns
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value
⚙ performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value
⚙ performs better than SUM
PRODUCT
Known for Multiplying Numbers Together
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