Compact mode

SUM vs ROUND vs AGGREGATE

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

For all*

Mathematical

Excel functions for performing mathematical calculations
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

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

SUM

Business Managers

SUM is designed for Business Managers. Excel functions helpful for business management and decision making Click to see all.

ROUND

Financial Professionals

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

AGGREGATE

Statisticians

AGGREGATE is designed for Statisticians. Excel functions designed for statistical analysis and probability calculations Click to see all.
Purpose 📝

Primary purposes and use cases of the Excel function

SUM

Data Analysis

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

Data Aggregation

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

ROUND

Mathematical Operations

ROUND is used for Mathematical Operations. Excel functions that perform various mathematical calculations and operations Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

Data Analysis

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

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.

ROUND

Round Numbers

ROUND is known for Round Numbers.

AGGREGATE

Advanced Calculations With Options

AGGREGATE is known for Advanced Calculations With Options.

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.

ROUND

Excel 2.0

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

AGGREGATE

Excel 2010

AGGREGATE was created in Excel 2010. Functions that were new in Excel 2010 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

ROUND

Most frequently used mathematical function after SUM

AGGREGATE

Combines multiple function capabilities
Sarcastic Fact 🤣

Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel function

SUM

Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985

ROUND

The peacekeeper between integers and decimals

AGGREGATE

The Swiss Army knife of Excel functions that nobody uses

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.

ROUND

Simple

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

AGGREGATE

Advanced

AGGREGATE 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

AGGREGATE

Array

AGGREGATE 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

SUM

Excel 2013

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

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.

ROUND

Excel 2013

ROUND 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

SUM

Web Excel

SUM runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.

ROUND

Web Excel

ROUND 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.

ROUND

2

ROUND needs 2 required arguments Click to see all.

AGGREGATE

3

AGGREGATE 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.

AGGREGATE

Range

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

ROUND

Precise Control

Consistent

Universal

AGGREGATE

Versatile Calculation Options

Ignores Errors

Excel functions that skip over errors maintain formula continuity without breaking calculations Click to see all.
Cons ❌

Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel function

SUM

Limited To Numbers Only

Cannot Handle Text

No Text Handling

ROUND

Limited Decimal Places

No Rounding Options

AGGREGATE

Complex Parameter Requirements

Functions that need detailed parameter setup for operation, requiring specific input formats Click to see all.

Steep Learning Curve

Functions that require significant time and effort to master Click to see all.

Ratings Comparison

Alternatives to SUM

Known for Counting Numeric Cells

Known for Count Non-Empty Cells

⚙ performs better than SUM

Known for Multiple Condition Sum

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM

Known for Basic Statistical Calculation

⚙ performs better than SUM

Known for Multiplying Numbers Together

Known for Finding Highest Value

⚙ performs better than SUM

Known for Finding Lowest Value

⚙ performs better than SUM

Known for Converting Row Data To Columns

Known for Empty Cell Detection

⚙ performs better than SUM

🛠 is more reliable than SUM

Known for Conditional Average Calculations

🔢 needs fewer arguments than SUM