Compact mode

UNIQUE vs CONCAT vs FILTER

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

UNIQUE

Database

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

CONCAT

Text

CONCAT belongs to the Text category. Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data Click to see all.

FILTER

Database

FILTER 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

UNIQUE

Aggregation

UNIQUE performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

CONCAT

Manipulation

CONCAT performs Manipulation operations. Functions that modify and transform data in different ways Click to see all.

FILTER

Manipulation

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

FILTER

Scientists

FILTER 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

UNIQUE

Data Analysis

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

CONCAT

String Operations

CONCAT is used for String Operations. Excel functions that manipulate and process text strings Click to see all.

FILTER

Data Analysis

FILTER 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

UNIQUE

Duplicate Removal

UNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.

CONCAT

Modern Text Joining

CONCAT is known for Modern Text Joining.

FILTER

Advanced Filtering

FILTER is known for Advanced Filtering.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Excel 2019

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

CONCAT

Excel 2016

CONCAT was created in Excel 2016. Functions that came with Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

FILTER

Excel 2019

FILTER 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

UNIQUE

First array-based duplicate remover

CONCAT

Replaced CONCATENATE function

FILTER

Revolutionized Excel data filtering
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

UNIQUE

Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party

CONCAT

The modern solution to text attachment anxiety

FILTER

The Marie Kondo of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

UNIQUE

Intermediate

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

CONCAT

Simple

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

FILTER

Advanced

FILTER 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*

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

UNIQUE

Range

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

CONCAT

Text

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

FILTER

Range

FILTER accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets 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
Microsoft 365

Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform

CONCAT

Excel 2016

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

UNIQUE

Excel Online

UNIQUE runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

CONCAT

Web Excel

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

FILTER

Excel Online

FILTER runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.

Web Excel

FILTER 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

UNIQUE

1

UNIQUE needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

CONCAT

2

CONCAT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

FILTER

2

FILTER 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

CONCAT

Text

CONCAT accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.

FILTER

Array

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

Boolean

FILTER accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Removes Duplicates Automatically

Excel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently Click to see all.

Dynamic Results

Functions that automatically update results when source data changes Click to see all.

Simple Syntax

Automatically Updates

Functions that dynamically update results based on data changes Click to see all.

CONCAT

Array Support

Dynamic Ranges

FILTER

Dynamic Filtering

Functions that enable real-time filtering of data based on changing criteria Click to see all.

Multiple Criteria

Flexible Output

Returns Dynamic Arrays

Flexible Filtering
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

UNIQUE

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Array Spillover Needs Space

Limited To Newer Versions

Single Operation

CONCAT

Not Backward Compatible

Limited Formatting

Functions with restricted formatting capabilities, reducing customization options Click to see all.

FILTER

Requires Modern Excel

Functions only available in recent versions of Excel Click to see all.

Complex For Beginners

Requires Latest Excel Versions

Memory Intensive

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

UNIQUE

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.

CONCAT

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.

FILTER

8

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

UNIQUE

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.

CONCAT

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.

FILTER

9.5

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

UNIQUE

9

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.

CONCAT

9.2

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.

FILTER

9

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

For all*

9.5
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

For all*

9

Alternatives to UNIQUE

Known for Extract Rightmost Characters

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Text Joining

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Text Extraction

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

Known for Removing Non-Printable Characters

Known for Replace Specific Text

🔢 needs fewer arguments than CONCAT

Known for Text Search And Position Finding

Known for Case-Sensitive Comparison

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

Known for Remove Extra Spaces

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Character Count Calculation

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

⚙ performs better than CONCAT