Compact mode

SUBTOTAL vs DSUM vs OFFSET

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

SUBTOTAL

Mathematical

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

DSUM

Database

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

OFFSET

Lookup & Reference

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

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

SUBTOTAL

Aggregation

SUBTOTAL performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

DSUM

Aggregation

DSUM performs Aggregation operations. Excel functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

OFFSET

Retrieval

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

Usage Context Comparison

Basic Information Comparison

Known For ⭐

Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

Filtered Data Calculations

SUBTOTAL is known for Filtered Data Calculations.

DSUM

Database Sum Operations

DSUM is known for Database Sum Operations.

OFFSET

Dynamic Range Manipulation

OFFSET is known for Dynamic Range Manipulation.

History Comparison

Creation Date 📅

Original release date of the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

Excel 97

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

DSUM

Excel 97

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

OFFSET

Excel 3.0

OFFSET was created in Excel 3.0. Functions that originated in Excel 3.0 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

SUBTOTAL

Can Perform 11 Different Operations

DSUM

Less known but powerful feature

OFFSET

Essential for dynamic charts
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

The Swiss Army Knife of Excel Functions

DSUM

The calculator that went to business school

OFFSET

The parkour artist of Excel functions

Usage Information Comparison

Formula Complexity Level 📖

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

SUBTOTAL

Intermediate

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

DSUM

Advanced

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

OFFSET

Advanced

OFFSET 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

SUBTOTAL

Number

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

Array

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

DSUM

Number

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

OFFSET

Range

OFFSET 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
Excel 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

DSUM

Excel 2013

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

OFFSET

Excel 2013

OFFSET is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 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

SUBTOTAL

2

SUBTOTAL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

DSUM

3

DSUM needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

OFFSET

3

OFFSET needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.
Required Arguments Type 📊

The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the function

SUBTOTAL

Number

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

Array

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

DSUM

Range

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

Range

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

Range

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

OFFSET

Range

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

Number

OFFSET 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

SUBTOTAL

Ignores Hidden Rows

Multiple Functions

DSUM

Powerful Database Calculations

Excel functions for database calculations enable efficient handling of structured data collections Click to see all.

Complex Criteria Support

OFFSET

Flexible Range Selection

Functions that enable selecting dynamic ranges and cell references flexibly Click to see all.

Dynamic References

Functions that can automatically adjust cell references based on changes Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

Function Code Memorization

Limited Operations

DSUM

Complicated Syntax

Requires Database Structure

OFFSET

Volatile Calculation

Complex Syntax

Ratings Comparison

Ease of Use Score 📊

User-rated score for function's ease of use

SUBTOTAL

8

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

DSUM

6.5

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.

OFFSET

6

User-rated score for function's ease of use (25%) Having high ease of use score means the function is more intuitive and user-friendly. Click to see all.
Versatility Score 📈

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios

SUBTOTAL

9

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

DSUM

8

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.

OFFSET

9

Rating for function's adaptability to different scenarios (25%) Functions with higher versatility scores can be used in more diverse scenarios and applications. Click to see all.
Performance Score ⚙

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency

SUBTOTAL

8.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

DSUM

8.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.

OFFSET

6.5

Rating for function's execution speed and efficiency (25%) Functions with higher performance scores execute faster and use system resources more efficiently. Click to see all.
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

SUBTOTAL

9

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

DSUM

9

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.

OFFSET

7.5

Rating for function's consistency and error handling (25%) Functions with higher reliability scores produce more consistent results and handle edge cases better. Click to see all.
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

SUBTOTAL

8.6

The overall score for SUBTOTAL is 8.6. Click to see all.

DSUM

8

The overall score for DSUM is 8. Click to see all.

OFFSET

7.3

The overall score for OFFSET is 7.3. Click to see all.

Alternatives to SUBTOTAL

Known for Counting With Conditions

Known for Multiple Criteria Counting

📈 is more versatile than SUBTOTAL

⭐ is rated higher than SUBTOTAL

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL

Known for Matrix Multiplication Calculations

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL

🛠 is more reliable than SUBTOTAL

⭐ is rated higher than SUBTOTAL

Known for Conditional Sum Calculations

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

Known for Multiple Criteria Max

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL

Known for Finding Nth Largest Value

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

Known for Calculate Loan Payments

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUBTOTAL

⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL

🛠 is more reliable than SUBTOTAL

Known for Finding Nth Smallest Value

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

Known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL

🛠 is more reliable than SUBTOTAL

⭐ is rated higher than SUBTOTAL