Compact mode

INDEX vs SUMIFS vs FORECAST

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

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

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

SUMIFS

Mathematical

SUMIFS belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical

FORECAST 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 inputs

INDEX

Retrieval

INDEX performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources

SUMIFS

Calculation

SUMIFS performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations

FORECAST

Calculation

FORECAST 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 function

For all*

Data Analysts

Excel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation

Financial Professionals

Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning

SUMIFS

Accountants

SUMIFS is designed for Accountants. Excel functions commonly used by accountants for financial tracking and reporting Click to see all.

FORECAST

Scientists

FORECAST is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

INDEX

Data Lookup

INDEX is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

SUMIFS

Data Analysis

SUMIFS is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.

Financial Calculations

SUMIFS is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical Analysis

FORECAST is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

SUMIFS

Multiple Condition Sum

SUMIFS is known for Multiple Condition Sum.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

SUMIFS

Excel 2007

SUMIFS was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 release Click to see all.

FORECAST

Excel 97

FORECAST 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

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function

SUMIFS

Enhanced version of SUMIF

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

SUMIFS

When one condition isn't complicated enough

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectively

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

SUMIFS

Intermediate

SUMIFS has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

FORECAST

Advanced

FORECAST has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

INDEX

Array

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

Range

INDEX accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets

SUMIFS

Number

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

Array

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

FORECAST

Number

FORECAST 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

Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

INDEX

Microsoft 365

INDEX is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

INDEX is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

SUMIFS

Microsoft 365

SUMIFS is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

Excel Online

SUMIFS is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform

Excel 2007

SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version

Excel 2010

SUMIFS 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 platforms

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system

MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users

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*

3
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

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

SUMIFS

Range

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation

Flexible

SUMIFS

Multiple Conditions

Accurate Calculations

Flexible For Multiple Criteria

Handles Large Datasets

Functions optimized for processing and analyzing large amounts of data efficiently

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn

Multiple Conditions Support

Excel functions handling multiple conditions enable complex logical operations and flexible data filtering

Accurate Results

Functions that provide precise and reliable computational results

Flexible

Versatile Conditional Summing

Excel functions that can perform flexible conditional sum calculations based on multiple criteria

Supports Multiple Criteria

Powerful For Multiple Criteria

Flexible Conditions

FORECAST

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results

Trend Analysis

Professional

Scientific Prediction

Based On Historical Data

Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

SUMIFS

Complex For Beginners

Needs Sorted Data

Functions 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 Datasets

Functions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.

Limited To Sum Operation Only

Functions that can only add values without other mathematical operations Click to see all.

Requires Sorted Data

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers