Compact mode

MAX vs COUNT vs LOOKUP

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

MAX

Mathematical

MAX belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

COUNT

Mathematical

COUNT belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Lookup & Reference

LOOKUP belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

MAX

Calculation

MAX performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations Click to see all.

COUNT

Calculation

COUNT performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations Click to see all.

LOOKUP

Retrieval

LOOKUP performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources 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

MAX

Scientists

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

COUNT

Business Managers

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

LOOKUP

Business Managers

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

MAX

Data Analysis

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

COUNT

Data Analysis

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

LOOKUP

Data Lookup

LOOKUP is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

MAX

Finding Highest Value

MAX is known for Finding Highest Value.

COUNT

Counting Numeric Cells

COUNT is known for Counting Numeric Cells.

LOOKUP

Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups

LOOKUP is known for Simple Vertical And Horizontal Lookups.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

For all*

Excel 2.0

Functions introduced in the Excel 2.0 version release
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

MAX

Works with arrays since Excel inception

COUNT

Originally designed for VisiCalc spreadsheets

LOOKUP

Predecessor to VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

MAX

The function that always looks at the bright side of numbers

COUNT

Keeps counting even when you wish it would stop

LOOKUP

Still exists because Excel is afraid of commitment issues

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

MAX

Simple

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

COUNT

Simple

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

LOOKUP

Intermediate

LOOKUP has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks 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

COUNT

Array

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

Range

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

LOOKUP

Text

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

Array

LOOKUP 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

COUNT

Excel 2013

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

LOOKUP

Excel 2013

LOOKUP 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

MAX

1

MAX needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNT

1

COUNT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

LOOKUP

2

LOOKUP needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Array

Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations

MAX

Number

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

COUNT

Number

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

Range

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

LOOKUP

Range

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

MAX

Simple To Use

Versatile

COUNT

Fast And Efficient

Easy To Understand

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

Widely Used

LOOKUP

Simple To Understand

Works With Sorted Data
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

MAX

Cannot Ignore Text Values

Limited To Numbers

Functions that can only process numerical values and cannot handle text or dates Click to see all.

COUNT

Limited To Numbers Only

Ignores Text Cells

LOOKUP

Limited To One-Way Lookups

Requires Sorted Data