Compact mode

IFS vs DATEDIF vs MAXIFS

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

IFS

Logical

IFS belongs to the Logical category. Excel functions for performing logical operations and decision making Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Date & Time

DATEDIF belongs to the Date & Time category. Excel functions for working with dates and time calculations Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Mathematical

MAXIFS 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

IFS

Comparison

IFS performs Comparison operations. Excel functions for comparing values and data Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Calculation

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

MAXIFS

Calculation

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

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

IFS

Multiple Condition Handling

IFS is known for Multiple Condition Handling.

DATEDIF

Date Difference Calculations

DATEDIF is known for Date Difference Calculations.

MAXIFS

Multiple Criteria Max

MAXIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Max.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

IFS

Excel 2016

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

DATEDIF

Excel 97

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

MAXIFS

Excel 2016

MAXIFS was created in Excel 2016. Functions that came with Excel 2016 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

IFS

Replaced nested IF statements

DATEDIF

Not listed in Excel's function wizard

MAXIFS

Can handle up to 127 criteria pairs
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

IFS

Like a traffic controller for logical conditions

DATEDIF

The function Microsoft tried to hide but failed

MAXIFS

Like finding the tallest person who likes both pizza and sushi

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

For all*

Intermediate

Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks

Technical Details Comparison

Input Data Type 📝

Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parameters

IFS

Boolean

IFS accepts Boolean as input data. Excel functions that work with TRUE/FALSE logical values Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Date

DATEDIF accepts Date as input data. Excel functions for working with dates and time values Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Number

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

Array

MAXIFS 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 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

IFS

Microsoft 365

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

DATEDIF

Excel 2019

DATEDIF is compatible with Excel 2019 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Microsoft 365

MAXIFS is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 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

IFS

Excel Online

IFS runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.
Required Arguments Count 🔢

Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properly

IFS

2

IFS needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DATEDIF

3

DATEDIF needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

MAXIFS

3

MAXIFS needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
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

IFS

Boolean

IFS accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.

DATEDIF

Date

DATEDIF accepts Date as input types Excel functions specialized in processing date and time calculations Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Range

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

Number

MAXIFS 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

IFS

Multiple Condition Support

Clean Syntax

Functions with clear and easy-to-understand syntax structure Click to see all.

Logical Flow

DATEDIF

Accurate Date Calculations

Multiple Units

MAXIFS

Multiple Condition Support

Array Handling

Functions that efficiently process arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.

Efficient Processing
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

IFS

All Conditions Must Be Specified

Functions that need complete condition specification can be inflexible and prone to errors if any condition is missing Click to see all.

Order Sensitive

DATEDIF

Hidden Function

Documentation Limitations

MAXIFS

Requires Sorted Data

Limited To Numbers

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

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to IFS

Known for Conditional Statements

🔢 needs fewer arguments than IFS

📈 is more versatile than IFS

⚙ performs better than IFS

🛠 is more reliable than IFS

⭐ is rated higher than IFS

Known for Advanced Text Combining

🔢 needs fewer arguments than IFS

⚙ performs better than IFS

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📈 is more versatile than IFS

Known for Multiple Condition Check

📊 is easier to use than IFS

⚙ performs better than IFS

🛠 is more reliable than IFS

⭐ is rated higher than IFS

Known for Dynamic Sorting

📊 is easier to use than IFS

⭐ is rated higher than IFS

Known for Any Condition Check

📊 is easier to use than IFS

⚙ performs better than IFS

🛠 is more reliable than IFS

⭐ is rated higher than IFS

Known for Vertical Data Search

🔢 needs fewer arguments than IFS

Known for Conditional Sum Calculations

Known for Number Formatting

⚙ performs better than IFS

🛠 is more reliable than IFS

Known for Calculate Working Days