Compact mode
SUM vs XLOOKUP vs UNIQUE
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 typesSUMXLOOKUPUNIQUEOperation Type 🔧
Fundamental type of operation or action that the Excel function performs on its inputsSUMXLOOKUPUNIQUE
Usage Context Comparison
For whom 👥
Target user groups who would benefit most from using this Excel functionFor all*- Data AnalystsExcel functions specifically designed for data analysis and interpretation
- Business ManagersExcel functions helpful for business management and decision making
UNIQUEPurpose 📝
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.
XLOOKUPUNIQUE
Basic Information Comparison
Known For ⭐
Distinctive characteristic or primary strength of the Excel functionSUM- Basic Arithmetic CalculationsSUM is known for Basic Arithmetic Calculations.
XLOOKUP- Dynamic Array SupportXLOOKUP is known for Dynamic Array Support.
UNIQUE- Duplicate RemovalUNIQUE is known for Duplicate Removal.
History Comparison
Facts Comparison
Interesting Fact 💡
Unique or lesser-known information about the Excel functionSUM- Most commonly used function in Excel
XLOOKUP- First major update to lookup functions in 20 years
UNIQUE- First array-based duplicate remover
Sarcastic Fact 🤣
Humorous or ironic observation about the Excel functionSUM- Making adding numbers look complicated since 1985
XLOOKUP- Makes VLOOKUP feel like using a flip phone in 2024
UNIQUE- Like a bouncer at an exclusive Excel party
Usage Information Comparison
Formula Complexity Level 📖
Indicates the difficulty level and complexity of using the Excel function effectivelySUMXLOOKUPUNIQUE
Technical Details Comparison
Input Data Type 📝
Types of data that the Excel function accepts as input parametersSUMXLOOKUP- TextXLOOKUP accepts Text as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for text manipulation Click to see all.
- NumberXLOOKUP accepts Number as input data. Excel functions specifically designed for numerical calculations Click to see all.
UNIQUEVersion 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
- Microsoft 365Excel functions optimized for the latest Microsoft 365 platform
SUM- Excel 2016SUM is compatible with Excel 2016 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2016 version Click to see all.
- Excel 2013SUM is compatible with Excel 2013 Excel functions that work specifically in Excel 2013 version 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.
Operating System 💾
Specifies the operating systems where the function can be used < including Windows< macOS< and web platformsFor all*- WindowsExcel functions optimized for Windows operating system
- MacOSExcel functions optimized for MacOS users
SUMXLOOKUP- Excel OnlineXLOOKUP runs on Excel Online Excel functions available in the online version of Excel Click to see all.
- Web ExcelXLOOKUP runs on Web Excel Excel functions available in web-based versions Click to see all.
UNIQUERequired Arguments Count 🔢
Number of mandatory arguments needed for the function to work properlySUMXLOOKUPUNIQUERequired Arguments Type 📊
The data types accepted as valid input arguments for the functionFor all*SUM- NumberSUM accepts Number as input types Excel functions that perform calculations specifically with numerical inputs Click to see all.
- ArraySUM accepts Array as input types Excel functions that specifically work with array inputs for calculations Click to see all.
XLOOKUP
Evaluation Comparison
Pros ✅
Key advantages and strengths of the Excel functionSUM- Easy To Use
- Widely Recognized
- Versatile
- Fast Calculation
XLOOKUP- Dynamic Array SupportFunctions that support dynamic array operations and spilling Click to see all.
- Handles Errors Gracefully
- Bi-Directional Lookup
UNIQUE- Removes Duplicates AutomaticallyExcel functions that automatically remove duplicates maintain data uniqueness efficiently Click to see all.
- Dynamic ResultsFunctions that automatically update results when source data changes Click to see all.
- Simple Syntax
- Automatically UpdatesFunctions that dynamically update results based on data changes Click to see all.
Cons ❌
Limitations and potential drawbacks of the Excel functionSUM- Limited To Numbers Only
- Cannot Handle Text
- No Text Handling
XLOOKUP- Complex Syntax For Beginners
- Limited Backward Compatibility
- Not Available In Older Versions
- Complex For Beginners
UNIQUE- Requires Latest Excel Versions
- Array Spillover Needs Space
- Limited To Newer Versions
- Single Operation
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