Array Arguments to Sumifs Are of Different Size

When working with arrays in Microsoft Excel, it’s common to encounter situations where the array arguments to SUMIFS functions are of different sizes. In this article, we’ll explore the causes and consequences of this issue and provide actionable insights on how to resolve it.

Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Arrays

One of the primary reasons for encountering arrays with different sizes is when using SUMIFS functions with asymmetric ranges. This occurs when the range arguments in your SUMIFS function are not symmetrical, meaning they don’t have the same number of rows or columns.

Causes of Asymmetric Arrays

The most common cause of asymmetric arrays is when you’re working with data that has varying numbers of records. For instance, if you’re summing up sales data by region and country, you might find that some countries have more regions than others. This disparity can lead to SUMIFS functions returning incorrect results or even throwing errors.

Handling Asymmetric Arrays

When dealing with arrays of different sizes, it’s essential to understand how Excel handles these situations. In most cases, Excel will perform the SUMIFS calculation using the smallest range size. This means that if you’re summing up data for a region and country, and one country has more regions than another, the function will return a result based on the smaller range.

However, this approach can lead to inaccurate results or even errors. To avoid these issues, it’s recommended to use array formulas with the same size ranges in your SUMIFS functions. This ensures that the calculation is performed using the correct range sizes and eliminates any potential errors.

Array Formulas for Asymmetric Arrays

To create an array formula for asymmetric arrays, you can use the following syntax:

SUMIFS(array, criteria_range1, criteria1, [range2], [criteria2], ...) 

In this syntax, array is the range of cells you want to sum up, and criteria_range1 and criteria1 are the ranges and criteria for the first set of conditions. You can add additional sets of criteria using the [range2] and [criteria2] syntax.

By using array formulas with symmetric ranges, you can ensure that your SUMIFS functions return accurate results even when dealing with arrays of different sizes.

Best Practices for Working with Asymmetric Arrays

When working with asymmetric arrays in Excel, it’s essential to follow best practices to avoid errors and improve accuracy. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use array formulas**: When working with SUMIFS functions and asymmetric arrays, use array formulas to ensure that the calculation is performed using the correct range sizes.
• Check your data**: Before performing a SUMIFS calculation, make sure your data is accurate and free from errors. This includes checking for missing values, duplicate records, and incorrect formatting.
• Use consistent ranges**: When creating array formulas with asymmetric arrays, use consistent range sizes to avoid errors and improve accuracy.
• Test your calculations**: Before relying on SUMIFS calculations, test them using sample data to ensure they return accurate results.