Compact mode

TODAY vs LEN vs YEAR

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

TODAY

Date & Time

TODAY belongs to the Date & Time category. Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.

LEN

Text

LEN belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data

YEAR

Date & Time

YEAR belongs to the Date & Time category. Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

TODAY

Information

TODAY performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

LEN

Manipulation

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

YEAR

Information

YEAR performs Information operations. Functions that focus on retrieving and displaying data in various formats

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

TODAY

Current Date Return

TODAY is known for Current Date Return.

LEN

Character Count Calculation

LEN is known for Character Count Calculation.

YEAR

Year Extraction

YEAR is known for Year Extraction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2.0

Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release
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

TODAY

Updates even when you don't want it to

LEN

One of the original Excel functions

YEAR

Works with any date since 1900
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

TODAY

The function that never lies about its age

LEN

The function that teaches us size matters

YEAR

Y2K survived and still going strong

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Simple

Basic Excel functions for common calculations and tasks

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

TODAY

Date

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

LEN

Text

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

YEAR

Date

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

LEN

Excel 2013

LEN is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

YEAR

Excel 2013

YEAR 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

Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

TODAY

~
LEN

1

LEN needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

YEAR

1

YEAR needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

TODAY

Date

TODAY accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

LEN

Text

LEN accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

YEAR

Date

YEAR accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

TODAY

No Arguments Needed

Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup

Auto-Updates

LEN

Simple To Use

Reliable

YEAR

Simple To Use

Reliable Output

Excel functions providing reliable output ensure consistent and accurate results
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

TODAY

Updates Only On Calculation

Limited Use

LEN

Limited To Length Only

Counts Spaces

Functions include space characters in their calculations, potentially affecting accuracy Click to see all.

YEAR

Single Purpose

Limited Flexibility