Compact mode

LEFT vs FIND vs RAND

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

LEFT

Text

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

FIND

Mathematical

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

RAND

Mathematical

RAND belongs to the Mathematical category. Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations Click to see all.
Operation Type 🔧

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

LEFT

Manipulation

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

FIND

Manipulation

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

RAND

Calculation

RAND performs Calculation operations. Excel functions for performing various calculations 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

LEFT

Administrative Staff

LEFT is designed for Administrative Staff. Excel functions useful for administrative tasks and data management Click to see all.

FIND

Business Managers

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

RAND

Scientists

RAND 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

LEFT

Text Manipulation

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

FIND

Text Manipulation

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

RAND

Mathematical Operations

RAND is used for Mathematical Operations. Excel functions that perform various mathematical calculations and operations Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

LEFT

Text Extraction

LEFT is known for Text Extraction.

FIND

Text Search And Position Finding

FIND is known for Text Search And Position Finding.

RAND

Generate Random Numbers

RAND is known for Generate Random Numbers.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

LEFT

Excel 95

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

FIND

Excel 2.0

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

RAND

Excel 2.0

RAND 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

LEFT

Often paired with RIGHT

FIND

Can search from left to right and right to left

RAND

Uses Wichmann-Hill algorithm from 1982
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

LEFT

The function that discriminates against right-handed people

FIND

Sometimes finds things you wish stayed hidden

RAND

The Las Vegas of Excel functions

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

LEFT

Text

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

FIND

Number

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

Text

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

RAND

Number

RAND accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations 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

LEFT

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.
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

LEFT

2

LEFT needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

FIND

2

FIND needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

RAND

~
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

For all*

Number

Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs

LEFT

Text

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

FIND

Text

FIND 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

LEFT

Simple Text Extraction

Consistent

Easy Text Handling

Quick

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

FIND

Easy To Use For Basic Text Searches

Case-Sensitive Search Capability

RAND

No Arguments Needed

Excel functions that work without arguments provide quick results with minimal setup Click to see all.

Dynamic Updates
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

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.

FIND

Limited To Text Strings Only

Returns Error If Text Not Found

Functions that produce errors when searched text is not present Click to see all.

RAND

Not Truly Random

Changes Frequently

Functions that change often may require regular formula updates and maintenance Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to LEFT

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

Known for Extract Rightmost Characters

📊 is easier to use than FIND

⚙ performs better than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than FIND

📈 is more versatile than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Round Numbers

📊 is easier to use than FIND

📈 is more versatile than FIND

⚙ performs better than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Character Count Calculation

📊 is easier to use than FIND

⚙ performs better than FIND

Known for Replace Specific Text

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FIND

📈 is more versatile than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Extracting Text Segments

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FIND

Known for Conditional Statements

🔢 needs fewer arguments than FIND

📈 is more versatile than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Multiplying Numbers Together

📊 is easier to use than FIND

⭐ is rated higher than FIND

Known for Upper Rounding