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COUNTA vs AVERAGE vs SMALL

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

COUNTA

Business Managers

COUNTA is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

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.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

COUNTA

Data Analysis

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

AVERAGE

Statistical Analysis

AVERAGE is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

SMALL

Statistical Analysis

SMALL is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

COUNTA

Count Non-Empty Cells

COUNTA is known for Count Non-Empty Cells.

AVERAGE

Basic Statistical Calculation

AVERAGE is known for Basic Statistical Calculation.

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

COUNTA

Excel 2.0

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

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.
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

COUNTA

Originally designed for counting attendance in spreadsheets

AVERAGE

Most basic statistical function

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

COUNTA

Makes counting feel like a thrilling adventure in cell exploration

AVERAGE

Making averages average since Excel began

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

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

For all*

Number

Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations

COUNTA

Text

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

Array

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

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

COUNTA

Web Excel

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

AVERAGE

Web Excel

AVERAGE 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

COUNTA

1

COUNTA needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

AVERAGE

1

AVERAGE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 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

COUNTA

Array

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

AVERAGE

Number

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

Number

SMALL accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

COUNTA

Easy To Use

Fast

Non-Zero Values Only

Versatile

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
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

COUNTA

Counts Text As Valid

Includes Errors

Functions that consider error values in their computations, affecting results Click to see all.

Format Sensitive

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

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to COUNTA

Known for Finding Highest Value

Known for Finding Lowest Value

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use 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 Counting With Conditions

🔢 needs fewer arguments than AVERAGE

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 Multiplying Numbers Together

Known for Calculate Factorials

Known for Division Remainder Calculations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than AVERAGE

Known for Finding Most Frequent Value

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