Compact mode

AVERAGE vs SMALL vs FORECAST

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*

Statistical

Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations
Operation Type 🔧

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

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

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

AVERAGE

Students

AVERAGE is designed for Students. Excel functions helpful for academic work and learning Click to see all.

SMALL

Statisticians

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

FORECAST

Financial Professionals

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

Scientists

FORECAST is designed for Scientists. Excel functions used in scientific calculations and research Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Statistical Analysis

Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

AVERAGE

Basic Statistical Calculation

AVERAGE is known for Basic Statistical Calculation.

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

AVERAGE

Excel 2.0

AVERAGE was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release Click to see all.

SMALL

Excel 97

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

FORECAST

Excel 97

FORECAST was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version 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

AVERAGE

Most basic statistical function

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

AVERAGE

Making averages average since Excel began

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

AVERAGE

Simple

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

SMALL

Simple

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

FORECAST

Advanced

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Array

SMALL 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.

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

AVERAGE

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

AVERAGE 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

For all*

Windows

Excel functions optimized for Windows operating system
MacOS

Excel functions optimized for MacOS users

AVERAGE

Web Excel

AVERAGE runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.

FORECAST

Web Excel

FORECAST 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

AVERAGE

1

AVERAGE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

FORECAST

3

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

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

AVERAGE

Range

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

Array

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

SMALL

Range

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

FORECAST

Array

FORECAST 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

AVERAGE

Simple To Use

Common Function

Universal

SMALL

Easy To Understand

Functions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn Click to see all.

Reliable Results

FORECAST

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results Click to see all.

Trend Analysis

Professional

Scientific Prediction

Based On Historical Data

Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

AVERAGE

Ignores Text

Includes Zero Values

Functions that consider zero values in calculations, impacting statistical results Click to see all.

Numbers Only

No Weights

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

AVERAGE

9

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.

SMALL

8.5

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.

FORECAST

7.5

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.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

AVERAGE

7.5

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.

SMALL

7

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.

FORECAST

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.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

AVERAGE

9.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

SMALL

8.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

FORECAST

8

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

AVERAGE

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.

SMALL

9

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.

FORECAST

8.5

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

AVERAGE

8.9

The overall score for AVERAGE is 8.9. Click to see all.

SMALL

8.3

The overall score for SMALL is 8.3. Click to see all.

FORECAST

8.1

The overall score for FORECAST is 8.1. Click to see all.

Alternatives to AVERAGE

Known for Finding Highest Value

Known for Finding Lowest Value

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than AVERAGE

Known for Counting With Conditions

🔢 needs fewer arguments than AVERAGE

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than AVERAGE

📈 is more versatile than AVERAGE

🛠 is more reliable than AVERAGE

⭐ is rated higher than AVERAGE

Known for Count Non-Empty Cells

📊 is easier to use than AVERAGE

📈 is more versatile than AVERAGE

🛠 is more reliable than AVERAGE

⭐ is rated higher than AVERAGE

Known for Multiplying Numbers Together

Known for Round Numbers

🔢 needs fewer arguments than AVERAGE

📊 is easier to use than AVERAGE

📈 is more versatile than AVERAGE

⭐ is rated higher than AVERAGE

Known for Calculate Factorials

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than AVERAGE