Compact mode

CONCAT vs LEFT vs EXACT

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*

Text

Excel functions for manipulating and analyzing text data
Operation Type 🔧

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

CONCAT

Manipulation

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

LEFT

Manipulation

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

EXACT

Comparison

EXACT performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and 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

CONCAT

Business Managers

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

LEFT

Administrative Staff

LEFT 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

CONCAT

String Operations

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

LEFT

Text Manipulation

LEFT is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content Click to see all.

EXACT

Text Manipulation

EXACT is used for Text Manipulation. Excel functions that modify and format text content Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

CONCAT

Modern Text Joining

CONCAT is known for Modern Text Joining.

LEFT

Text Extraction

LEFT is known for Text Extraction.

EXACT

Case-Sensitive Comparison

EXACT is known for Case-Sensitive Comparison.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

CONCAT

Excel 2016

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

LEFT

Excel 95

LEFT was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 release Click to see all.

EXACT

Excel 2.0

EXACT was created in Excel 2.0. Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version 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

CONCAT

Replaced CONCATENATE function

LEFT

Often paired with RIGHT

EXACT

Used in password verification systems
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

CONCAT

The modern solution to text attachment anxiety

LEFT

The function that discriminates against right-handed people

EXACT

The function with OCD for spelling

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*

Text

Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation

CONCAT

Array

CONCAT 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

CONCAT

Microsoft 365

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

LEFT

Excel 2013

LEFT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version Click to see all.

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

LEFT is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.

EXACT

Excel 2013

EXACT is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 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
Web Excel

Excel functions available in web-based versions
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

For all*

2
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Text

Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing

CONCAT

Range

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

LEFT

Number

LEFT 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

CONCAT

Array Support

Dynamic Ranges

LEFT

Simple Text Extraction

Consistent

Easy Text Handling

Quick

Quick Excel functions deliver rapid results with minimal processing time Click to see all.

EXACT

Precise Text Comparison

Case Sensitive
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

CONCAT

Not Backward Compatible

Limited Formatting

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

LEFT

Limited To Left Side

Functions that only work with characters from the left side of text entries Click to see all.

Fixed Length Only

Functions restricted to processing fixed-length inputs, reducing versatility Click to see all.

Only Left Side

Fixed Length

Functions only process data of specific lengths, limiting adaptability Click to see all.

EXACT

Only Returns TRUE/FALSE

Functions that provide only yes/no answers without additional information Click to see all.

No Partial Matching

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

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.

LEFT

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.

EXACT

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.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

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.

LEFT

6.5

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.

EXACT

6

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

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.

LEFT

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.

EXACT

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.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

For all*

9.5
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

CONCAT

9

The overall score for CONCAT is 9. Click to see all.

LEFT

8.6

The overall score for LEFT is 8.6. Click to see all.

EXACT

8.6

The overall score for EXACT is 8.6. Click to see all.

Alternatives to CONCAT

Known for Text Joining

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Extract Rightmost Characters

⚙ performs better than CONCAT

Known for Text Search And Position Finding

Known for Advanced Filtering

📈 is more versatile than CONCAT

Known for Replace Specific Text

🔢 needs fewer arguments than CONCAT

Known for Removing Non-Printable Characters

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

📊 is easier to use than CONCAT

Known for Case-Insensitive Search

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