Compact mode

SUM vs COUNTA vs COUNTIFS

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

SUM

Mathematical

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

COUNTA

Statistical

COUNTA belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations Click to see all.

COUNTIFS

Statistical

COUNTIFS belongs to the Statistical category. Excel functions for statistical analysis and calculations Click to see all.
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
Business Managers

Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making

COUNTIFS

Analysts

COUNTIFS is designed for Analysts. Excel functions essential for data analysis and reporting Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

For all*

Data Analysis

Functions specifically designed for analyzing data

SUM

Data Aggregation

SUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SUM

Basic Arithmetic Calculations

SUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.

COUNTA

Count Non-Empty Cells

COUNTA is known for Count Non-Empty Cells.

COUNTIFS

Multiple Criteria Counting

COUNTIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Counting.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUM

Excel 2.0

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

COUNTA

Excel 2.0

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

COUNTIFS

Excel 2007

COUNTIFS was created in Excel 2007. Functions first introduced in Excel 2007 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

SUM

Most commonly used function in Excel

COUNTA

Originally designed for counting attendance in spreadsheets

COUNTIFS

Enhanced version of COUNTIF
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

COUNTA

Makes counting feel like a thrilling adventure in cell exploration

COUNTIFS

The function that makes counting feel like detective work

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SUM

Simple

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

COUNTA

Simple

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

COUNTIFS

Intermediate

COUNTIFS 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

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.

COUNTIFS

Array

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

Range

COUNTIFS 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
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

SUM

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

SUM 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
Web Excel

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

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

SUM

1

SUM needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNTA

1

COUNTA needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

COUNTIFS

2

COUNTIFS 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

SUM

Number

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

Array

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

COUNTA

Array

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

COUNTIFS

Text

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

Number

COUNTIFS 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

For all*

Easy To Use

SUM

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

COUNTA

Fast

Non-Zero Values Only

Versatile

COUNTIFS

Flexible Criteria Options

Multiple Conditions

Handles Multiple Criteria

Flexible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

COUNTA

Counts Text As Valid

Includes Errors

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

Format Sensitive

COUNTIFS

Complex Syntax For Multiple Criteria

Performance Issues With Large Datasets

Limited To Equal Conditions Only

Case Sensitive

Functions where text matching is affected by letter case can cause unexpected results Click to see all.