Columns function in excel

The COLUMNS function is a built-in function in Microsoft Excel. It falls under the category of LOOKUP functions in Excel. The COLUMNS function returns the total number of columns in the given array or collection of references. The purpose of the COLUMNS formula in Excel is to know the number of columns in an array of references.

For example, the formula =COLUMNS(A1:E3) will return as 5 since the range A1:E3 has 5 columns, A, B, C, D, and E, respectively.

Syntax

• array = This is a required parameter. An array / a formula resulting in an array / a reference to a range of Excel cells for which the number of columns is to be calculated.

The COLUMNS function has only one argument, and it is mandatory.

How To Use COLUMNS Formula In Excel?

You can download this COLUMNS Function Excel Template here – COLUMNS Function Excel Template

The said function is a worksheet (WS) function. As a WS function, columns can be inserted as a part of the formula in a worksheet cell.

Let us look at the examples given below to understand the use of the COLUMNS function in excel.

Examples

Example #1 – Total Columns In A Range

In the example of this column, cell G3 has a formula associated with it. So, G3 is a result cell.

The argument for the COLUMNS function in excel is a cell range, which is B4:D4. Here, B4 is a starting cell, and D4 is the ending cell.

The number of columns between these two cells is 3. So, the result is 3.

Example #2 – Total Cells In A Range

In this example, cell G4 has a formula associated with it. So, G4 is a result cell.

The formula is COLUMNS (B4: E8) * ROWS*B4: E8). Then, multiplication is performed between the total number of columns and a total number of rows for the given range of cells in the sheet.

Here, the total number of columns is four, and the total number of rows is 5. So, the total number of cells is 4*5 = 20.

Example #3 – Get The Address Of The First Cell In A Range

Here, the dataset is named data. Further, this data is used in the formula.

You may refer to the steps given below to name the dataset.

• Step 1: Select the cells.
• Step 2: Right-click and choose Define Name.
• Step 3: Name the dataset as data.

In the example of these columns, cell G6 has a formula associated with it. So, G6 is a result cell. The formula is to calculate the first cell in the dataset represented by the name data. The result is $B$4, i.e., B4, the last cell in the selected dataset.

The formula uses the ADDRESSES function, which has two parameters: row number and column number.

E.g., ADDRESS (8,5) returns $B$4. Here, 4 is the row number, and 2 is the column number. So, the function returns a cell denoted by these row and column numbers.

Here, a row number is calculated by

ROW(data)

And the column number is calculated by

COLUMN(data)

Example 4 – Get The Address Of The Last Cell In A Range

Here, the dataset is named data. Further, this data is used in the column’s formula in Excel. We can refer to the steps given below to name the dataset.

• Step 1: Select the cells.
• Step 2: Right-click and choose Define Name.
• Step 3: Name the dataset as data.

In this COLUMNS example, cell G5 has a formula associated with it. So, G5 is a result cell. The formula is to calculate the last cell in the dataset represented by the name data. The result is $E$8, i.e., E8, the last cell in the selected dataset.

The formula uses the ADDRESSES function, which has two parameters: row number and column number.

E.g., ADDRESS (8,5) returns $E$8. Here, 8 is the row number, and 5 is the column number. So, the function returns a cell denoted by these row and column numbers.

Here, the row number is calculated by

ROW(data)+ROWS(data-1)

And the column number is calculated by

COLUMN(data)+COLUMNS(data-1)

Important Things To Note

• The argument of the COLUMNS function in Excel can be a single cell address or a range of cells.
• The argument of the COLUMNS function cannot point to multiple references or cell addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columns Function in Excel Video

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This article is a guide to Columns Function in Excel. We discuss the columns formula in Excel and how to use it, along with examples and downloadable templates. You can also go through our other suggested articles: –

• Excel Column Lock
• Excel Freeze Columns
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COLUMNS in Excel (Table of Contents)

• COLUMNS in Excel
• How to Use COLUMNS Function in Excel?

COLUMNS in Excel

The columns function in excel is another easiest function to apply, which simply counts the number of columns that are selected. It returns the count of the number of columns selected in the array. For this, we just have to select the complete columns or columns in the form of a table or matrix. It will simply return the count of columns there in an array.

COLUMNS Formula in Excel:

The Formula for the COLUMNS Function in Excel is as follows:

The COLUMNS Function formula has a below-mentioned argument:

Array: reference to an array OR range of cells for which we have to calculate a number of columns.

Note:

• If the range of cells or array contains multiple rows and columns, only the columns are counted.
• COLUMNS Function in Excel will always return a positive numeric value.

How to Use COLUMNS Function in Excel?

This COLUMNS Function is very simple easy to use. Let us now see how to use the COLUMNS Function in Excel with the help of some examples.

You can download this COLUMNS Function Excel Template here – COLUMNS Function Excel Template

Example #1

In the below-mentioned example, I have a dataset in a range, i.e. B7:G13, where it contains the company & its share value on a daily basis. Here I need to find out the number of columns in that range with the help of the COLUMNS Function.

Let’s apply the COLUMNS function in cell “I8”.

Select the cell “I8” where the COLUMNS function needs to be applied, Click the insert function button (fx) under the formula toolbar, a dialog box will appear, type the keyword “COLUMNS” in the search for a function box, COLUMNS function will appear in select a function box.

Double click on COLUMNS function, a dialog box appears where arguments for COLUMN function needs to be filled or entered, i.e. =COLUMNS (array)

Array: Reference to an array OR range of cells for which we have to calculate a number of columns, i.e. Here it is B7:G13, where Here, B7 is a starting cell and G13 is the ending cell in a table or range.

Click ok after entering the arguments in the COLUMNS function. i.e.=COLUMNS (B7:G13) COLUMNS function calculates the total number of columns present in a range, i.e. 6. The number of columns in between these two cells (B7 & G13) is 6; hence it results in 6.

Example #2

In the below-mentioned example, I have a dataset in a range, i.e. B18:G24, where it contains the company & its share value on a daily basis. Here I need to find out the Total cell in range with the help of the COLUMNS function.

Let’s apply the COLUMNS function in cell “I19”.

Select the cell “I19” where the COLUMNS function needs to be applied, Click the insert function button (fx) under the formula toolbar, a dialog box will appear, type the keyword “COLUMNS” in the search for a function box, COLUMNS function will appear in select a function box.

Double click on COLUMNS function, A dialog box appears where arguments for COLUMN function needs to be filled or entered i.e.

=COLUMNS (array)

Array: reference to an array OR range of cells for which we have to calculate a number of columns, i.e. Here it is B18:G24 where Here, B18 is a starting cell and G24 is the ending cell in a table or range.

Multiplication needs to be performed between the total number of columns and a total number of rows for the given array or range of cells to get the total number of cells in an array or table.

i.e. =COLUMNS(B18:G24)*ROWS(B18:G24)

Here, the total number of rows is 7 & the total number of columns is 6. So, the total number of cells is 7*6 = 42

Example #3

The COLUMNS function is important when using functions where a column argument is required, e.g. VLOOKUP in case of a huge number of datasets; it is not easy to manually count the number of columns in a table array.

During these scenarios, In the VLOOKUP function, The COLUMNS function is used to return the col_index_num argument value.

Let check out the difference between the Vlookup function with & without Columns Function.

In the below-mentioned example, table2 contains the company in column B & its share value on a daily basis ( 6^th, 7^th,8^th, 9^th & 10^thNov 2018) in columns C, D, E, F & G, respectively.

Table 3 contains the company name in column B; our objective here in this table is to find out its share value on 6^th Nov 2018 in column C, with the help of table 2 reference by using the VLOOKUP function.

Prior to applying the VLOOKUP formula, you should be aware of it. Vertical lookup or VLOOKUP references vertically aligned tables and quickly finds data in relation to the value the user enters.

VLOOKUP Function without COLUMNs Function

Let’s apply the VLOOKUP function in cell “C29”.

Select the cell “C29”. where the VLOOKUP function needs to be applied; click the insert function button (fx) under the formula toolbar, a dialog box will appear, type the keyword “VLOOKUP” in the search for a function box, VLOOKUP function will appear in select a function box.

Double click on the VLOOKUP function, A dialog box appears where arguments for the VLOOKUP function need to be filled or entered.

The Formula for the VLOOKUP function is:

VLOOKUP (lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

• lookup_value: The value you want to look up, i.e. “B29” or “MEDICO.”
• table_array: Range where the lookup value is located, i.e. select table 2 range B18:G24 & click function f4 key to lock a range, i.e. $B$18:$G$24.
• col_index_num: column number in a table array from which the matching value should be returned. Here the company share value on 6^th November 2018 is in table 2 & it is in the second column, i.e. 2
• range_lookup: FALSE for an exact match or TRUE for an approximate match. Select 0 or false.

=VLOOKUP(B29,$B$18:$G$24,2,0) returns the share value of Medco on 6^th November 2018, i.e. 69

To get the finalized data for other company share prices, click inside cell C29 and you’ll see the cell selected, then Select the cells till C31. So that column range will get selected, once it got selected, click on Ctrl + D so that the VLOOKUP formula is applied to a whole range.

VLOOKUP Function with COLUMNS Function

Above the table 2 column header, B17 to G17 is the column number that needs to be mentioned prior to applying Vlookup with the columns function.

Table 4 contains the company name in column G; our objective here in this table is to find out its share value on 8^th Nov 2018 in column H, with the help of table 2 reference by using VLOOK with COLUMNS function.

In VLOOKUP Function without COLUMNS Function, Formula was:

=VLOOKUP(C29,$B$18:$G$24,2,0)

Where 2 was the column index number, here let’s replace this with the COLUMNS($B$17:$E$17) function in the Vlookup function in cell H29 of table 4. Here we need a share price value for 8^th Nov 18, hence the select column reference B17 to E17 in columns function of the table.

i.e. =VLOOKUP(G29,$B$18:$G$24,COLUMNS($B$17:$E$17),0)

=VLOOKUP(G29,$B$18:$G$24, COLUMNS($B$17:$E$17),0) returns the share value of Medco on 8^th November 2018, i.e. 68

To get the finalized data for other company share prices, click inside cell H29 and you’ll see the cell selected, then Select the cells till H31. So that column range will get selected, once it is selected, press Ctrl + D so that the formula is applied to a whole range.

Here simultaneously, we have to change the column reference in column function & lookup value based on the data requirement.

Things to Remember

• The COLUMNS Function in Excel is important or significant when using functions where a column argument is required (e.g. VLOOKUP); in the case of a huge number of datasets, it is not an easy task to manually count the number of columns in a table array (Explained in example 3).
• The array argument in the COLUMNS Function can be either a range of cells or single-cell addresses.
• If the range of cells or array contains multiple rows and columns, only the columns are counted.
• COLUMNS function in Excel will always return a positive numeric value.

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1. Freeze Columns in Excel
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4. VBA Columns

COLUMN function

The COLUMN function returns the column number of the given cell reference. For example, the formula = COLUMN( D10) returns 4, because column D is the fourth column.

Syntax

The COLUMN function syntax has the following argument:

reference Optional. The cell or range of cells for which you want to return the column number.

If the reference argument is omitted or refers to a range of cells, and if the COLUMN function is entered as a horizontal array formula, the COLUMN function returns the column numbers of reference as a horizontal array.

If you have a current version of Microsoft 365, then you can simply enter the formula in the top-left-cell of the output range, then press ENTER to confirm the formula as a dynamic array formula. Otherwise, the formula must be entered as a legacy array formula by first selecting the output range, entering the formula in the top-left-cell of the output range, and then pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to confirm it. Excel inserts curly brackets at the beginning and end of the formula for you. For more information on array formulas, see Guidelines and examples of array formulas.

If the reference argument is a range of cells, and if the COLUMN function is not entered as a horizontal array formula, the COLUMN function returns the number of the leftmost column.

If the reference argument is omitted, it is assumed to be the reference of the cell in which the COLUMN function appears.

The reference argument cannot refer to multiple areas.

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ROWS and COLUMNS Functions in Excel With Examples

In this article, we are going to see the details about Excel ROW, ROWS, COLUMN, COLUMNS functions, and their usages.

ROW Function

The ROW( ) function basically returns the row number for a reference.

Syntax:

Example :

If we write no argument inside the ROW( ) it will return the row number of the cell in which we have written the formula.

Here the following returns are achieved:

ROWS Function

It is the extended version of the ROW function. ROWS function is used to return the number of rows in a cell range.

Syntax:

Example :

It is important to note that writing the column name is trivial here. We can also write :

COLUMN Function

The column function usually returns the column number of a reference. There are 16,384 columns in Excel from the 2007 version. It returns the value 1 to 16,384.

Syntax:

Example :

Last Column of Excel

Similar to the ROW function, the argument is not mandatory. If we don’t write any argument, it will return the index of the column in which the formula is written.

COLUMNS Function

It is the extended version of the COLUMN( ). It returns the number of columns for a given cell range.

Syntax:

Example :

It is important to note that writing the row number is trivial here. We can also write :

ROWS And COLUMNS Functions in Array Formulas

We can use the ROWS( ) and COLUMNS( ) in array formulas using SMALL( ), LARGE( ), VLOOKUP( ) functions in Excel.

Example :

The smallest value is returned to the provided cell range.

The largest value is returned to the provided cell range.

Say, we need to find the number of days needed to complete Task number 5.

Step 1: Choose any cell and write the name of the Task.

Step 2: Beside that cell write the “Formula” as shown below to get the “Number of Days” need :

F3 : Reference of the Task T-5

A3:B13 : Cell range of the entire table for VLOOKUP to search

Step 3: Click Enter.

Now, it can be observed it returns 20 as output which is perfect as per the data set.

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COLUMN Function Examples – Excel & Google Sheets

Download the example workbook

This Tutorial demonstrates how to use the Excel COLUMN Function in Excel to look up the column number.

COLUMN Function Overview

The COLUMN Function Returns the column number of a cell reference.

To use the COLUMN Excel Worksheet Function, select a cell and type:

(Notice how the formula inputs appear)

COLUMN function Syntax and inputs:

reference – Cell reference that you want to determine the column # of.

COLUMN Function – Single Cell

The COLUMN Function returns the column number of the given cell reference.

COLUMN Function with no Reference

If no cell reference is provided, the COLUMN Function will return the column number where the formula is entered

COLUMN Function with a Range

You can also input entire ranges of cells into the COLUMN Function. When doing so, the COLUMN Function behaves differently in Excel 2019 (or earlier) vs. Excel 365 or newer version of Excel.

Excel 2019 or older

In previous versions of Excel, the COLUMN Function returns an array containing the column values of all the cells in the range, but only displays the first result in the cell.

If you click the cell containing the formula and press F9, all the results are displayed in curly brackets as an array.

Excel 365

However, Excel 365 (and newer versions of Excel, presumably) comes with a spill range feature. Here, the COLUMN Function will return the columns of all cells in the range, “spilled” into the next cells.

COLUMN Function in Google Sheets

The COLUMN Function works exactly the same in Google Sheets as in Excel:

Additional Notes

Use the COLUMN Function to return the column number of a cell reference. What if you want the column letter of a cell reference? Use this complicated formula instead:

This formula calculates the column number with the COLUMN Function and calculates the address of a cell in row 1 of that column using the ADDRESS Function. Then it uses the SUBSTITUTE Function to remove the row number (1), so all that remains is the column letter.

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Column Function in Excel

Excel Column Function

The column function in Excel is used to determine the column numbers of the target cells. Although it is also a built-in worksheet function and takes only one argument, the target cell, as a reference, notes that this function does not provide the cell’s value as it returns only the column number of the cell. In simple words, this Excel column formula will give a numeric value as output which signifies the column number of the supplied reference.

For example, the formula COLUMN(A4) returns 1 since COLUMN A is the first column in the Excel worksheet.

Table of contents

Syntax

Optional parameter:

• [Reference]: The reference parameter is optional. If we do not supply the reference to this function, it will return the current column number where the function is located.

How to use Column Excel Function? (Examples)

Example #1

As shown below, the column function provides the column number of the current cells where the column formula is located if the reference is excluded or omitted.

Example #2

If the range C5 is supplied to the column function in Excel, it will return column number 3 as output.

Example #3

If a range is supplied to the column function as input, it will return the first column number as output for the below table. The output will be 3.

Example #4

We can use the column function with other functions. For example, we are using this function with the lookup function here.

Suppose we have employee data containing ID, name, and salary column. And we have to find out the name from the ID. Then, we can use the VLOOKUP function combined with this function, as shown below.

=VLOOKUP(B11,$B$11:$D$15,COLUMN(C11),0)

Example #5

The column function with MOD function.

Suppose a cable connection expense that is payable every third month. The cable connection expense amount is $50. We can use the column formula with the MOD function below to generate a fixed value every third month.

The column formula used is =IF(MOD(COLUMN(B8)-1,3)=0,$A$2,0), as shown below:

Example #6

This column formula in Excel returns the ADDRESS of the first cell based on a row and column number. Here, we use the ROW function We Use The ROW Function The row function in Excel is a worksheet function that displays the current row index number of the selected or target cell. The syntax to use this function is as follows: =ROW( Value ). read more to generate a list of row numbers and then add ROWS(B5: D5)-1 to ROW(B24: D24) so that the first item in the array is the last row number.

Then we do the same for COLUMN and COLUMNS: COLUMN(B24:D24)+COLUMNS(B24:D24)-1)

After applying this function, it can return an array of addresses. For example, if we enter the column formula in a single cell, we get the item ($D$24) from the array/range, the address corresponding to the last cell in a range, as shown below.

Example #7

If we provide a single cell as a reference to the COLUMN, it will return the column number as output for that particular reference/cell. However, when we supply a range with multiple columns, this function may give an array as output containing all column numbers for the given range. Therefore, if we want to get only the first column number as output, we must use the MIN function to get the first column number, the lowest number in the array. The result is shown below:

Point to Remember

• This function will return a #NAME! Error if we supply the invalid reference.

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This article is a guide to Column Function in Excel. We discuss the column formula in Excel and its use, examples, and a downloadable Excel template. You can also look at our other suggested articles: –

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Excel COLUMNS Function | Formula Examples + FREE Video

Excel COLUMNS Function (Example + Video)

When to use Excel COLUMNS Function

Excel COLUMNS function can be used when you want to get the number of columns in a specified range or array.

What it Returns

It returns a number that represents the total number of columns in the specified range or array.

Syntax

Input Arguments

• array – it could be an array, an array formula or a reference to a contiguous range of cells.

Additional Notes

Even if the array contains multiple rows and columns, only the columns are counted. For example:

Excel COLUMNS Function – Examples

Here are two examples of using the Excel COLUMNS function.

Example 1: Finding the number of Columns in an Array



In the example above, =COLUMNS(A1:A1) returns 1 as it covers one row (which is A1). Similarly, =COLUMNS(A1:C1) returns 3 as the array A1:C1 covers four columns in it.

Also, note that it only counts the number of columns. Hence, whether the array is A1:C1, or A1:C5, it would return 3 in both the cases.

Example 2: Getting a Sequence of Numbers in a Column



Excel COLUMNS function can be used to get a sequence of numbers. Since the first reference is fixed, as you copy the formula down, the second reference changes and so does the row numbers in the array.

Excel COLUMNS Function – Video Tutorial

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