Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=COUNT(value1,[value2],...)
  • value1 - An item, cell reference, or range.
  • value2 - [optional] An item, cell reference, or range.

Using the COUNT function

The COUNT function returns the count of numeric values in the list of supplied arguments . COUNT takes multiple arguments in the form of value1 , value2 , value3 , etc. Arguments can be individual hardcoded values, cell references, or ranges up to a total of 255 arguments. All numbers are counted, including negative numbers, percentages, dates, times, fractions, and formulas that return numbers. COUNT ignores text values, errors, and empty cells. The COUNT function is similar to the COUNTA function , but COUNTA includes numbers and text in the count.

Examples

The COUNT function counts numeric values and ignores text values:

=COUNT(1,2,3) // returns 3
=COUNT(1,"a","b") // returns 1
=COUNT("apple",100,125,150,"orange") // returns 3

Typically, the COUNT function is used on a range. For example, to count numeric values in the range A1:A10:

=COUNT(A1:A100) // count numbers in A1:A10

In the example shown, COUNT is set up to count numbers in the range B5:B15:

=COUNT(B5:B15) // returns 6

COUNT returns 6, since there are 6 numeric values in the range B5:B15. Text values and blank cells are ignored. Note that dates and times are numbers, and therefore included in the count.

Functions for counting

  • To count numbers only, use the COUNT function .
  • To count numbers and text, use the COUNTA function .
  • To count with one condition, use the COUNTIF function
  • To count with multiple conditions, use the COUNTIFS function .
  • To count empty cells, use the COUNTBLANK function .

Notes

  • COUNT can handle up to 255 arguments.
  • COUNT ignores the logical values TRUE and FALSE.
  • COUNT ignores text values, errors, and empty cells.

Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=COUNTA(value1,[value2],...)
  • value1 - An item, cell reference, or range.
  • value2 - [optional] An item, cell reference, or range.

Using the COUNTA function

The COUNTA function counts cells that contain values, including numbers, text, logicals, errors, and empty text (""). COUNTA does not count empty cells.

The COUNTA function returns the count of values in the list of supplied arguments . COUNTA takes multiple arguments in the form value1 , value2 , value3 , etc. Arguments can be individual hardcoded values, cell references, or ranges up to a total of 255 arguments. All values are counted, including text, numbers, percentages, errors, dates, times, fractions, and formulas that return empty strings (""). Empty cells are ignored.

Examples

In the example shown, COUNTA is set up to values in the range B5:B15:

=COUNTA(B5:B15) // returns 9

COUNTA returns 9, since there are 9 non-empty cells in the range B5:B15.

The COUNTA function counts numbers and text:

=COUNTA(1,2,3) // returns 3
=COUNTA(1,"a","b") // returns 3
=COUNTA(1,2,3,"a",5%) // returns 5

To count non-empty cells in the range A1:A10:

=COUNTA(A1:A10) // count non-empty cells in A1:A10

To count non-empty cells in the range A1:A10 and the range C1:H2:

=COUNTA(A1:A10,C1:H2) // two ranges

Empty strings

Note that COUNTA includes empty strings ("") in the count, which can be returned by formulas. For example, the formula below will return “OK” when the value in A1 is at least 10, and an empty string ("") when the value is less than 10:

=IF(A1>=10,"OK","")

The COUNTA function will count both results as non-empty. To ignore empty strings, this example provides a workaround .

Invisible characters

Be aware that COUNTA will also count cells that look empty, but actually contain invisible characters or an empty string ("") returned by a formula. You can check which cells are blank using Go To > Special > Blanks:

  1. Select a range
  2. Open Go To dialog (Control + G)
  3. Press “Special”
  4. Select “Blanks”

Functions for counting

  • To count numbers only, use the COUNT function .
  • To count numbers and text, use the COUNTA function .
  • To count with one condition, use the COUNTIF function
  • To count with multiple conditions, use the COUNTIFS function .
  • To count empty cells, use the COUNTBLANK function .

Notes

  • COUNTA will count cells that contain numbers, text, logical values, error values, and empty text ("").
  • To count numeric values only, use the COUNT function .