Compact mode

SUM vs XLOOKUP vs UNIQUE

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.

XLOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

XLOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets

UNIQUE

Database

UNIQUE belongs to the Database category. Excel functions for managing and analyzing database-like data 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

XLOOKUP

Retrieval

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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

UNIQUE performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data 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

Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

UNIQUE

Administrative Staff

UNIQUE is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SUM

Data Analysis

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

Data Aggregation

SUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

XLOOKUP

Data Lookup

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

UNIQUE

Data Analysis

UNIQUE is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing 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.

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

XLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

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.

XLOOKUP

Excel 2019

XLOOKUP was created in Excel 2019. Functions introduced in Excel 2019 release Click to see all.

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

UNIQUE 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

XLOOKUP

First major update to lookup functions in 20 years

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

XLOOKUP

Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

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.

XLOOKUP

Advanced

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

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

SUM

Number

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

XLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

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

UNIQUE

Array

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

Range

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

Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

SUM

Excel 2016

SUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

Excel 2013

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

Excel Online

SUM 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

XLOOKUP

Excel Online

XLOOKUP runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel

Web Excel

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

UNIQUE

Excel Online

UNIQUE runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel
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.

XLOOKUP

3

XLOOKUP needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

UNIQUE

1

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUM

Number

SUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Array

SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

XLOOKUP

Text

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

Number

XLOOKUP accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

XLOOKUP

Dynamic Array Support

Functions that support dynamic array operations and spilling

Handles Errors Gracefully

Bi-Directional Lookup

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

XLOOKUP

Complex Syntax For Beginners

Limited Backward Compatibility

Not Available In Older Versions

Complex For Beginners

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation