Compact mode

SUBSTITUTE vs TEXT vs LEFT

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

For all*

Text

Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
Operation Type 🔧

Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputs

SUBSTITUTE

Manipulation

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

TEXT

Conversion

TEXT performs Conversion operations. Excel functions for converting between different data types Click to see all.

LEFT

Manipulation

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

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

Administrative Staff

Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Text Manipulation

Excel functions that modify and format text content

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Replace Specific Text

SUBSTITUTE is known for Replace Specific Text.

TEXT

Number Formatting

TEXT is known for Number Formatting.

LEFT

Text Extraction

LEFT is known for Text Extraction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Excel 97

SUBSTITUTE was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

TEXT

Excel 3.0

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

LEFT

Excel 95

LEFT was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 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

SUBSTITUTE

Originally designed for mail merge operations

TEXT

Can handle dates and numbers uniformly

LEFT

Often paired with RIGHT
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Find and replace's overachieving cousin

TEXT

Makes numbers look pretty but lose calculation ability

LEFT

The function that discriminates against right-handed people

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SUBSTITUTE

Intermediate

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

TEXT

Intermediate

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

LEFT

Simple

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

SUBSTITUTE

Text

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

TEXT

Number

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

Date

TEXT accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values

LEFT

Text

LEFT accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation 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

Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

TEXT

Microsoft 365

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

LEFT

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

LEFT 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

SUBSTITUTE

Web Excel

SUBSTITUTE runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions

LEFT

Web Excel

LEFT 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

SUBSTITUTE

3

SUBSTITUTE needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

TEXT

2

TEXT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

LEFT

2

LEFT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Multiple Replacements

Case Sensitive

Precise

TEXT

Flexible Formatting Options

Widely Compatible

Excel functions that work consistently across different Excel versions and platforms

LEFT

Simple Text Extraction

Consistent

Easy Text Handling

Quick

Quick Excel functions deliver rapid results with minimal processing time
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUBSTITUTE

Requires Exact Match

Complex Syntax

TEXT

Format String Complexity

Learning Curve

LEFT

Limited To Left Side

Functions that only work with characters from the left side of text entries Click to see all.

Fixed Length Only

Functions restricted to processing fixed-length inputs, reducing versatility Click to see all.

Only Left Side

Fixed Length

Functions only process data of specific lengths, limiting adaptability Click to see all.