Compact mode
SUM vs INDEX vs VLOOKUP
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 typesSUMINDEXVLOOKUPOperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsSUMINDEXVLOOKUP
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*SUMINDEXVLOOKUPPurpose 📝
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.
INDEXVLOOKUP
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
INDEX- Advanced Data RetrievalINDEX is known for Advanced Data Retrieval.
VLOOKUP- Vertical Data SearchVLOOKUP is known for Vertical Data Search.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
INDEX- Often used with MATCH function
VLOOKUP- Often confused with HLOOKUP
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
INDEX- The function that makes VLOOKUP feel simple
VLOOKUP- The function everyone pretends to understand
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMINDEXVLOOKUP
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersSUMINDEX- ArrayINDEX accepts Array as input data. Excel functions designed to work with arrays and ranges of data Click to see all.
- RangeINDEX accepts Range as input data. Excel functions that operate on cell ranges and data sets Click to see all.
VLOOKUPVersion 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
- Microsoft 365Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
- Excel OnlineExcel functions optimized for use in the web-based Excel Online platform
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 properlySUMINDEXVLOOKUPRequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*SUM- RangeSUM accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.
- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.
INDEXVLOOKUP- RangeVLOOKUP accepts Range as input types Excel functions that operate on cell ranges for calculations Click to see all.
- TextVLOOKUP accepts Text as input types Excel functions specialized in text string manipulation and processing Click to see all.
- BooleanVLOOKUP accepts Boolean as input types Excel functions that work with true/false logical inputs for decision-making Click to see all.
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
INDEX- Powerful With MATCHExcel functions working with MATCH enable powerful lookup and reference capabilities Click to see all.
- Flexible LookupExcel functions with flexible lookup capabilities enable versatile data searching and matching Click to see all.
- Very Flexible
- Fast Performance
- PowerfulPowerful Excel functions offer advanced capabilities for complex calculations and data manipulation Click to see all.
- Flexible
VLOOKUP- Powerful Search Capability
- Flexible Matching
- Powerful Search
- Common In Business
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
INDEX- Complex Syntax
- Requires Understanding
- Complex For Beginners
- Requires Understanding Of Arrays
- Learning Curve
VLOOKUP
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
SUMIFS
Known for Multiple Condition Sum🔢 needs fewer arguments 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