Compact mode

SMALL vs DCOUNT vs DVAR

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

SMALL

Statistical

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

DCOUNT

Database

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

DVAR

Statistical

DVAR 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

SMALL

Statisticians

SMALL is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.

DVAR

Statisticians

DVAR is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SMALL

Statistical Analysis

SMALL is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

DCOUNT

Data Analysis

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

DVAR

Statistical Analysis

DVAR is used for Statistical Analysis. Excel functions designed for statistical calculations and data analysis Click to see all.

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

DCOUNT

Database Operations

DCOUNT is known for Database Operations.

DVAR

Database Variance

DVAR is known for Database Variance.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SMALL

Excel 97

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

DCOUNT

Excel 95

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

DVAR

Excel 95

DVAR was created in Excel 95. Functions that came with Excel 95 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

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

DCOUNT

Was created before SQL became popular

DVAR

Statisticians favorite database function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

DCOUNT

The forgotten cousin of COUNT

DVAR

Makes variance feel important

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SMALL

Simple

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

DCOUNT

Advanced

DCOUNT has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations Click to see all.

DVAR

Advanced

DVAR has a Advanced complexity level. Complex Excel functions for sophisticated calculations and operations 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
Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

DCOUNT

Range

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

DVAR

Range

DVAR 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

SMALL

Excel 2016

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

Excel 2013

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

DCOUNT

Excel 97

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

DVAR

Excel 97

DVAR is compatible with Excel 97 Excel functions that work in the classic Excel 97 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

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DCOUNT

3

DCOUNT needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

DVAR

3

DVAR needs 3 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

SMALL

Number

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

DCOUNT

Text

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

Criteria

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

DVAR

Text

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

Criteria

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

Evaluation Comparison

Pros ✅

Key advantages and strengths of the Excel function

SMALL

Easy To Understand

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

Reliable Results

DCOUNT

Powerful Database Functionality

Specific Criteria Handling

Powerful For Database Operations

Flexible Criteria

DVAR

Statistical Precision

Database Integration

Accurate Statistical Analysis

Database Compatible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

DCOUNT

Complex Syntax

Limited Visibility

Limited To Database Ranges

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

DVAR

Limited Audience

Functions designed for particular user groups, reducing general usability Click to see all.

Complex Syntax

Complex For Beginners

Limited Use Cases

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SMALL

Known for Finding Nth Largest Value

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

⚙ performs better than SMALL

🛠 is more reliable than SMALL

⭐ is rated higher than SMALL

Known for Counting With Conditions

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

⭐ is rated higher than SMALL

Known for Finding Most Frequent Value

⚙ performs better than SMALL

Known for Conditional Sum Calculations

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

Known for Error Handling And Prevention

📊 is easier to use than SMALL

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

📊 is easier to use than SMALL

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

⚙ performs better than SMALL

🛠 is more reliable than SMALL

⭐ is rated higher than SMALL

Known for Basic Statistical Calculation

📊 is easier to use than SMALL

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

⚙ performs better than SMALL

🛠 is more reliable than SMALL

⭐ is rated higher than SMALL

Known for Database Sum Operations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SMALL

📈 is more versatile than SMALL