Compact mode

SUM vs SUMPRODUCT vs LET

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.

SUMPRODUCT

Mathematical

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

LET

Engineering

LET belongs to the Engineering category. Excel functions designed for engineering calculations and analysis 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 Click to see all.

SUMPRODUCT

Calculation

SUMPRODUCT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations Click to see all.

LET

Manipulation

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

SUMPRODUCT

Financial Professionals

SUMPRODUCT is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

LET

Programmers

LET is designed for Programmers. Excel functions useful for programming and automation tasks 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.

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.

SUMPRODUCT

Matrix Multiplication Calculations

SUMPRODUCT is known for Matrix Multiplication Calculations.

LET

Named Calculations

LET is known for Named 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.

SUMPRODUCT

Excel 95

SUMPRODUCT was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

LET

Excel 2019

LET was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release 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

SUMPRODUCT

Can multiply and sum arrays simultaneously

LET

Enables functional programming in Excel
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

SUMPRODUCT

The function that makes accountants feel like they're doing linear algebra

LET

Finally gives Excel users a reason to feel like real programmers

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.

SUMPRODUCT

Intermediate

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

LET

Advanced

LET 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

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

SUMPRODUCT

Array

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

LET

Text

LET accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.

Boolean

LET accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values Click to see all.
Version Compatibility 💻

Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.

SUM

Excel 2019

SUM is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

Excel 2016

SUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

Microsoft 365

SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform Click to see all.

Excel Online

SUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.

SUMPRODUCT

Excel 2019

SUMPRODUCT is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

Excel 2016

SUMPRODUCT is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

LET

Microsoft 365

LET is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform Click to see all.
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 Click to see all.
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.

SUMPRODUCT

2

SUMPRODUCT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LET

2

LET 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 Click to see all.

Range

SUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

SUMPRODUCT

Range

SUMPRODUCT accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.

LET

Text

LET accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

SUMPRODUCT

Powerful For Array Calculations

Excel functions optimized for array calculations handle multiple values simultaneously for efficient processing Click to see all.

Handles Multiple Arrays

Powerful Array Handling

Flexible

LET

Improves Formula Readability

Reduces Calculation Overhead

Excel functions optimized for reduced calculation overhead improve spreadsheet performance Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

SUMPRODUCT

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited To Numeric Data

Complex Syntax

Performance Intensive

LET

Limited Backward Compatibility

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Conditional Sum Calculations

Known for Count Non-Empty Cells

📊 is easier to use than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📈 is more versatile than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Multiple Criteria Based Average

Known for Filtered Data Calculations

Known for Multiple Criteria Max

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUMPRODUCT

📈 is more versatile than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than SUMPRODUCT

Known for Finding Nth Smallest Value