Excel COLUMNS function

Description

Syntax and Arguments

Usage and Examples

• Example1: Count total number of columns in a range
• Example2: Count total number of cells in a range
• Example3: Obtain the last cell address of a given range

Description

The COLUMNS function returns the total number of columns in a given array or reference. For example, COLUMNS(A1:D4) returns 4.

Syntax and arguments

Formula syntax

Arguments

Return Value

The COLUMNS function returns the number of columns in an array or reference.

Usage and Examples

With the COLUMNS function you not only can count the numbers of a range, but also solve other jobs.

Example1: Count total number of columns in a range

Formula1

=COLUMNS(A1:D1)

Explain: Count the total number of columns in the range of A1:D1

Result:4

Formula2

=COLUMNS(DATA)

Explain: Count the total number of columns in the defined name range of “DATA” (range A1:D10)

Result: 4

Example2: Count total number of cells in a range

With combining the ROWS function and the COLUMNS function, you can obtain the total number of cells in a given range.

Formula

=ROWS(DATA)*COLUMNS(DATA)

Explain:

Data: the defined name which you want to count the total number of cells.

ROWS: return the total number of rows from the given reference

Result: 40

Example3: Obtain the last cell address of a given range

Formula

=ADDRESS(ROWS(DATA),COLUMNS(DATA))

Explain:

ADDRESS(row_num,column_num): returns the cell address based on the given row number and column number.

ROWS(): returns the total number of rows.

COLUMNS(): returns the total number of columns.

Then the formula shown as this:

=ADDRESS(10,4)

Result: $D$10

Sample File

The Best Office Productivity Tools

Kutools for Excel - Helps You To Stand Out From Crowd

Would you like to complete your daily work quickly and perfectly? Kutools for Excel brings 300 powerful advanced features (Combine workbooks, sum by color, split cell contents, convert date, and so on...) and save 80% time for you.

• Designed for 1500 work scenarios, helps you solve 80% Excel problems.
• Reduce thousands of keyboard and mouse clicks every day, relieve your tired eyes and hands.
• Become an Excel expert in 3 minutes. No longer need to remember any painful formulas and VBA codes.
• 30-day unlimited free trial. 60-day money back guarantee. Free upgrade and support for 2 years.

Read More Download

---

Office Tab - Enable Tabbed Reading and Editing in Microsoft Office (include Excel)

• One second to switch between dozens of open documents!
• Reduce hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day, say goodbye to mouse hand.
• Increases your productivity by 50% when viewing and editing multiple documents.
• Brings Efficient Tabs to Office (include Excel), Just Like Chrome, Firefox, And New Internet Explorer.

Read More Download