What does the SUMIFS function do compared to SUMIF?

The SUMIFS function is designed to sum values based on multiple criteria, making it a more versatile option than the SUMIF function, which is limited to a single condition. This means that when you use SUMIFS, you can specify various conditions across different ranges, allowing for more complex calculations that reflect multiple factors within your data set.

For example, if you wanted to sum sales figures only for a specific product sold in a certain region and within a particular date range, SUMIFS lets you define all these conditions simultaneously. This ability to layer multiple criteria is what distinguishes SUMIFS from SUMIF, enabling more comprehensive data analysis.

In contrast, other options present limitations either in the functionality of summing ranges or in the criteria application, which are not qualities of the SUMIFS function. Thus, knowing that SUMIFS supports multiple criteria is essential for users who need to perform detailed evaluations of their data.