Workflow guide

SUMIFS vs COUNTIFS

No. COUNTIFS counts rows. Use SUMIFS when you need to add an amount, quantity, cost, or hours column.

Yes. The basic criteria-pair syntax works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

It compares two different functions with the same sample data, copyable formulas, common mistakes, and links to the matching builders.

Use this workflow guide when you need a criteria-based report but are not sure whether the result should be a total amount or a row count.

Which formula should you use?

Situation	Use	Why
You need total sales, cost, inventory value, or hours	SUMIFS	SUMIFS adds a numeric range after matching one or more criteria ranges.
You need the number of completed tasks, orders, rows, or records	COUNTIFS	COUNTIFS counts rows that match the criteria and does not need an amount column.
You need a monthly total	SUMIFS	Use a date range boundary and sum the amount column for the target month.
You need a monthly row count	COUNTIFS	Use the same date boundary pattern but count matching date rows instead of summing values.

Date	Region	Product	Amount
2026-01-04	East	Widget	420
2026-01-12	West	Widget	310
2026-02-03	East	Gadget	275
2026-02-15	East	Widget	640

SUMIFS total amount by region and product

=SUMIFS(D2:D100, B2:B100, "East", C2:C100, "Widget")

This returns a total from the Amount column.

COUNTIFS row count by region and product

=COUNTIFS(B2:B100, "East", C2:C100, "Widget")

This returns how many rows match the criteria.

SUMIFS monthly total from a month cell

=SUMIFS(D2:D100, A2:A100, ">="&DATE(YEAR(F1),MONTH(F1),1), A2:A100, "<"&EOMONTH(F1,0)+1)

Use this when F1 contains any real date in the month you want to summarize.

SUMIFS and COUNTIFS share the same criteria-pair idea, but SUMIFS starts with the numeric range to add.
COUNTIFS has no sum range because it counts matching rows directly.
Both functions work in Excel and Google Sheets for normal criteria, operator criteria, and date boundaries.
Use the builders when you need to change ranges, add optional criteria, or copy a version with safe criteria quoting.

Do not use COUNTIFS when the expected result is a dollar amount, quantity total, or inventory value.
Do not use SUMIFS without a numeric sum range.
All criteria ranges must have the same shape as the sum range or count range.
For month reports, compare real date values with >= month start and < next month.

Does COUNTIFS add values?

No. COUNTIFS counts rows. Use SUMIFS when you need to add an amount, quantity, cost, or hours column.

Do SUMIFS and COUNTIFS work in Google Sheets?

Yes. The basic criteria-pair syntax works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Why is this guide not a doorway page?

It compares two different functions with the same sample data, copyable formulas, common mistakes, and links to the matching builders.