Compact mode
SUM vs SUMIFS vs FORECAST
Table of content
Basic Classification Comparison
Function Category 📊
Primary classification of the Excel function based on its main purpose and usage domain, helps users quickly identify function typesSUMSUMIFSFORECASTOperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsFor all*
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*SUMSUMIFS- Financial ProfessionalsSUMIFS is designed for Financial Professionals. Excel functions essential for financial analysis and planning Click to see all.
- AccountantsSUMIFS is designed for Accountants. Excel functions commonly used by accountants for financial tracking and reporting Click to see all.
FORECASTPurpose 📝
Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel functionSUM- Data AnalysisSUM is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Data AggregationSUM is used for Data Aggregation. Functions for combining and summarizing data Click to see all.
SUMIFS- Data AnalysisSUMIFS is used for Data Analysis. Functions specifically designed for analyzing data Click to see all.
- Financial CalculationsSUMIFS is used for Financial Calculations. Excel functions designed for financial analysis and monetary calculations Click to see all.
FORECAST
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
SUMIFS- Multiple Condition SumSUMIFS is known for Multiple Condition Sum.
FORECAST- Linear Trend PredictionFORECAST is known for Linear Trend Prediction.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
SUMIFS- Enhanced version of SUMIF
FORECAST- Based on least squares regression method
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
SUMIFS- When one condition isn't complicated enough
FORECAST- The crystal ball of Excel functions
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMSUMIFSFORECAST
Technical Details Comparison
Version Compatibility 💻
Indicates which Excel versions and platforms the function is compatible with < including Office 365< Excel 2019< 2016< etc.For all*- Excel 2019Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2019 version
- Excel 2016Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version
- Excel 2013Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version
SUM- Microsoft 365SUM is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform Click to see all.
- Excel OnlineSUM is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.
SUMIFS- Microsoft 365SUMIFS is compatible with Microsoft 365 Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform Click to see all.
- Excel OnlineSUMIFS is compatible with Excel Online Excel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform Click to see all.
- Excel 2007SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2007 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2007 version Click to see all.
- Excel 2010SUMIFS is compatible with Excel 2010 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2010 version Click to see all.
Operating System 💾
Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platformsFor all*Required Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMSUMIFSFORECASTRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*- NumberExcel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs
- ArrayExcel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations
SUMSUMIFS
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
SUMIFS- Multiple Conditions
- Accurate Calculations
- Flexible For Multiple Criteria
- Handles Large DatasetsFunctions optimized for processing and analyzing large amounts of data efficiently Click to see all.
- Easy To UnderstandFunctions with clear and intuitive syntax that are simple to learn Click to see all.
- Multiple Conditions SupportExcel functions handling multiple conditions enable complex logical operations and flexible data filtering Click to see all.
- Accurate ResultsFunctions that provide precise and reliable computational results Click to see all.
- Flexible
- Versatile Conditional SummingExcel functions that can perform flexible conditional sum calculations based on multiple criteria Click to see all.
- Supports Multiple Criteria
- Powerful For Multiple Criteria
- Flexible Conditions
FORECASTCons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
SUMIFS- Complex For Beginners
- Needs Sorted DataFunctions that only work correctly when the data is pre-sorted in a specific order Click to see all.
- Complex Syntax For Beginners
- Limited To Sum Operations
- Performance Issues With Large Ranges
- Cannot Use OR Conditions
- Complex Syntax
- Can Be Slow With Large DatasetsFunctions that process large amounts of data may significantly impact spreadsheet performance Click to see all.
- Limited To Sum Operation OnlyFunctions that can only add values without other mathematical operations Click to see all.
- Requires Sorted Data
FORECAST- Assumes Linear Relationship
- Complex Setup
- Sensitive To Outliers
Ratings Comparison
Alternatives to SUM
COUNTA
Known for Count Non-Empty Cells⚙ performs better than SUM
AVERAGE
Known for Basic Statistical Calculation⚙ performs better than SUM
MAX
Known for Finding Highest Value⚙ performs better than SUM
MIN
Known for Finding Lowest Value⚙ performs better than SUM
ROUND
Known for Round Numbers🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM
⚙ performs better than SUM
IF
Known for Conditional Statements🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM
📈 is more versatile than SUM
AVERAGEIF
Known for Conditional Average Calculations🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM