Compact mode

SUM vs AGGREGATE

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

VS

Known for Advanced Calculations With Options

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

Both*

Mathematical

Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations
Operation Type 🔧

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

Both*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

For whom 👥

Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel function

Both*

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.

AGGREGATE

Statisticians

AGGREGATE is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

Both*

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.

AGGREGATE

Advanced Calculations With Options

AGGREGATE is known for Advanced Calculations With Options.

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.

AGGREGATE

Excel 2010

AGGREGATE was created in Excel 2010. Functions that were new in Excel 2010 version Click to see all.
Created By 👤

Organization or team responsible for developing the function

Both*

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

AGGREGATE

Combines multiple function capabilities
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

AGGREGATE

The Swiss Army knife of Excel functions that nobody uses

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.

AGGREGATE

Advanced

AGGREGATE 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

Both*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

AGGREGATE

Array

AGGREGATE accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
Version Compatibility 💻

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

Both*

Excel 2019

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

SUM

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.
Operating System 💾

Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platforms

Both*

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.

AGGREGATE

3

AGGREGATE needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

Both*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
Range

Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations

SUM

Array

SUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

AGGREGATE

Versatile Calculation Options

Ignores Errors

Excel functions that skip over errors maintain formula continuity without breaking calculations Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

AGGREGATE

Complex Parameter Requirements

Functions that need detailed parameter setup for operation, requiring specific input formats Click to see all.

Steep Learning Curve

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

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

SUM

9.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

7

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

SUM

8.5

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

9.8

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

Both*

9
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

SUM

9.8

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

9.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

SUM

9.2

The overall score for SUM is 9.2. Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

8.8

The overall score for AGGREGATE is 8.8. Click to see all.

Alternatives to SUM

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

⭐ is rated higher than AGGREGATE

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Known for Multiple Condition Sum

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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Known for Multiple Criteria Max

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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Known for Conditional Sum Calculations

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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Known for Two-Way Lookup Power

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

⚙ performs better than AGGREGATE

🛠 is more reliable than AGGREGATE

⭐ is rated higher than AGGREGATE

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Known for Database Sum Operations

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Known for Conditional Average Calculations

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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Known for Measuring Data Peakedness

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Known for Finding Nth Smallest Value

📊 is easier to use than AGGREGATE

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