Compact mode

DSUM vs DMAX vs INDIRECT

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

DSUM

Database

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

DMAX

Database

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

INDIRECT

Lookup & Reference

INDIRECT 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

DSUM

Aggregation

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

DMAX

Calculation

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

INDIRECT

Retrieval

INDIRECT 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

DSUM

Financial Professionals

DSUM is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Engineers

INDIRECT is designed for Engineers. Excel functions commonly used in engineering calculations and analysis Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

DSUM

Data Analysis

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

Financial Calculations

DSUM is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.

DMAX

Data Analysis

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

INDIRECT

Dynamic References

INDIRECT is used for Dynamic References. Functions for creating flexible cell references Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

DSUM

Database Sum Operations

DSUM is known for Database Sum Operations.

DMAX

Database Max Value

DMAX is known for Database Max Value.

INDIRECT

Dynamic Cell References

INDIRECT is known for Dynamic Cell References.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

DSUM

Excel 97

DSUM was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 version Click to see all.

DMAX

Excel 95

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

INDIRECT

Excel 97

INDIRECT 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

DSUM

Less known but powerful feature

DMAX

Originally part of Lotus 1-2-3 compatibility

INDIRECT

Can create circular references easily
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

DSUM

The calculator that went to business school

DMAX

The maximalist's pride and joy

INDIRECT

The function that makes Excel question its life choices

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Advanced

Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

DSUM

Number

DSUM accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

DMAX

Number

DMAX accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.

Array

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

Range

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

INDIRECT

Text

INDIRECT accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation 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

DSUM

Excel 2016

DSUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

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

DMAX

Excel 97

DMAX is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 version Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Excel 2016

INDIRECT is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.

Excel 2013

INDIRECT 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
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

DSUM

3

DSUM needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

DMAX

3

DMAX needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

INDIRECT

1

INDIRECT needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

DSUM

Range

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

Range

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

Range

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

DMAX

Range

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

Text

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

Criteria

DMAX accepts Criteria as input types Excel functions that use specific criteria for filtering and conditional operations Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Text

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

DSUM

Powerful Database Calculations

Excel functions for database calculations enable efficient handling of structured data collections Click to see all.

Complex Criteria Support

DMAX

Efficient With Large Datasets

Reliable Results

Excellent For Database Analysis

Flexible Criteria

INDIRECT

Flexible Referencing

Dynamic Range Selection
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

DSUM

Complicated Syntax

Requires Database Structure

DMAX

Complex Syntax

Database Structure Dependent

Limited To Database Ranges

Functions that only work with database-style ranges, limiting data structure options Click to see all.

INDIRECT

Performance Intensive

Complex Syntax