Compact mode

SUBTOTAL vs MAXIFS vs INDEX

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.

MAXIFS

Mathematical

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

INDEX

Lookup & Reference

INDEX 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.

MAXIFS

Calculation

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

INDEX

Retrieval

INDEX performs Retrieval operations. Functions specialized in fetching data from various sources 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

SUBTOTAL

Accountants

SUBTOTAL is designed for Accountants. Excel functions commonly used by accountants for financial tracking and reporting Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Financial Professionals

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

INDEX

Financial Professionals

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

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

Data Analysis

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

Data Aggregation

SUBTOTAL is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.

MAXIFS

Data Analysis

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

INDEX

Data Lookup

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

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.

MAXIFS

Multiple Criteria Max

MAXIFS is known for Multiple Criteria Max.

INDEX

Advanced Data Retrieval

INDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.

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.

MAXIFS

Excel 2016

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

INDEX

Excel 3.0

INDEX 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

MAXIFS

Can handle up to 127 criteria pairs

INDEX

Often used with MATCH function
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

The Swiss Army Knife of Excel Functions

MAXIFS

Like finding the tallest person who likes both pizza and sushi

INDEX

The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple

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.

MAXIFS

Intermediate

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

INDEX

Advanced

INDEX 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*

Array

Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data

SUBTOTAL

Number

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

MAXIFS

Number

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

INDEX

Range

INDEX 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 2016

Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version

SUBTOTAL

Excel 2019

SUBTOTAL 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.

INDEX

Excel 2019

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

Excel 2013

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

Microsoft 365

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

Excel Online

INDEX 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

INDEX

Web Excel

INDEX 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

SUBTOTAL

2

SUBTOTAL needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

MAXIFS

3

MAXIFS needs 3 required arguments Click to see all.

INDEX

3

INDEX 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

SUBTOTAL

Array

SUBTOTAL accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for 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.

Text

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

INDEX

Array

INDEX 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

SUBTOTAL

Ignores Hidden Rows

Multiple Functions

MAXIFS

Multiple Condition Support

Array Handling

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

Efficient Processing

INDEX

Powerful With MATCH

Excel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities Click to see all.

Flexible Lookup

Excel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching Click to see all.

Very Flexible

Fast Performance

Powerful

Powerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation Click to see all.

Flexible
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUBTOTAL

Function Code Memorization

Limited Operations

MAXIFS

Requires Sorted Data

Limited To Numbers

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

INDEX

Complex Syntax

Requires Understanding

Complex For Beginners

Requires Understanding Of Arrays

Learning Curve

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.

MAXIFS

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.

INDEX

7

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.

MAXIFS

8.5

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.

INDEX

9.5

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

For all*

8.5
Reliability Score 🛠

Rating for function's consistency and error handling

For all*

9
Score ⭐

Overall rating combining all scoring attributes

SUBTOTAL

8.6

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

MAXIFS

8.5

The overall score for MAXIFS is 8.5. Click to see all.

INDEX

8.5

The overall score for INDEX is 8.5. 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 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

Known for Finding Most Frequent Value

📊 is easier to use than SUBTOTAL

⚙ performs better than SUBTOTAL