Compact mode

SMALL vs MATCH vs FORECAST

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.

MATCH

Lookup & Reference

MATCH belongs to the Lookup & Reference category. Excel functions for searching and referencing data across spreadsheets Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Calculation

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

MATCH

Retrieval

MATCH performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources Click to see all.

FORECAST

Calculation

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Statisticians

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

MATCH

Business Managers

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

FORECAST

Financial Professionals

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

Scientists

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Statistical Analysis

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

MATCH

Data Lookup

MATCH is used for Data Lookup. Functions for finding and retrieving specific data Click to see all.

FORECAST

Statistical Analysis

FORECAST 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.

MATCH

Position Finding

MATCH is known for Position Finding.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

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.

MATCH

Excel 3.0

MATCH was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 version Click to see all.

FORECAST

Excel 97

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

MATCH

Best friend of INDEX

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

MATCH

The function that plays hide and seek

FORECAST

The crystal ball of Excel functions

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.

MATCH

Intermediate

MATCH has a Intermediate complexity level. Excel functions with moderate complexity for various tasks Click to see all.

FORECAST

Advanced

FORECAST 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

SMALL

Array

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

MATCH

Text

MATCH 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
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
Excel 2013

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version

MATCH

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

MATCH 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

MATCH

Web Excel

MATCH runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.

FORECAST

Web Excel

FORECAST runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.
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.

MATCH

3

MATCH needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

FORECAST

3

FORECAST needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
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

SMALL

Range

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

MATCH

Range

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

Text

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

Array

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

FORECAST

Array

FORECAST accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations 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

MATCH

Flexible Matching

Works With INDEX

Versatile Search

Fast

FORECAST

Statistical Accuracy

Excel functions with high statistical accuracy ensure precise mathematical and analytical results Click to see all.

Trend Analysis

Professional

Scientific Prediction

Based On Historical Data

Functions that analyze and process historical time-series data Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

MATCH

Requires Sorted Data

Complex Syntax

Requires Exact Matches

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers

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