Compact mode

SUM vs SMALL 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

SUM

Mathematical

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

SMALL

Statistical

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

For all*

Calculation

Excel functions for performing various calculations

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SUM

Basic Arithmetic Calculations

SUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.

SMALL

Finding Nth Smallest Value

SMALL is known for Finding Nth Smallest Value.

FORECAST

Linear Trend Prediction

FORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUM

Excel 2.0

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

SMALL

Excel 97

SMALL was created in Excel 97. Functions first available in Excel 97 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

SUM

Most commonly used function in Excel

SMALL

Commonly used in grade calculations

FORECAST

Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

SMALL

The underachiever of the statistical functions

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

SUM

Simple

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

SMALL

Simple

SMALL has a Simple complexity level. Basic Excel functions for common calculations and 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.
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

SUM

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

SUM 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

SUM

Web Excel

SUM 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

SUM

1

SUM needs 1 required arguments Click to see all.

SMALL

2

SMALL needs 2 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

SUM

Range

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

Array

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

SMALL

Range

SMALL accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges 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

SUM

Easy To Use

Widely Recognized

Versatile

Fast Calculation

SMALL

Easy To Understand

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

Reliable Results

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

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

SMALL

Array Size Limitations

Static Ranking

FORECAST

Assumes Linear Relationship

Complex Setup

Sensitive To Outliers

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM

Known for Finding Nth Largest Value

Known for Counting With Conditions

📈 is more versatile than SMALL

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

⚙ performs better than SMALL

🛠 is more reliable than SMALL

⭐ is rated higher 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