How to use Excel COLUMNS function

Introduction

COLUMNS function in excel is a lookup or reference function. It provides us with number of COLUMNS in an array or reference. We have to enter a range in Excel format and it returns number of COLUMNS present in that range. For example row A1:C6 gives 3 as the result.

Syntax

=COLUMNS(Array)

Arguments

array– It can be the range of cells or an array formula, or an array.

Keynotes

A name range may also be used in COLUMNS function
It does not return values present inside the cells, it simply returns number of cells.
If we remove the argument than COLUMNS function automatically considers that cell as the argument in which it has been entered. For example If function =COLUMNS() is entered in cell A1 it would consider A1 as the argument and give one as the result.
It can also be used with other functions like to count total number of cells COLUMNS function can be combined with ROWS function.
It can also be combined with ADDRESS function to get the complete address of a range.

Examples

1.Total number of columns in a range: – In this example we calculated total number of COLUMNS by using the syntax =COLUMNS(A4:C9) which gave 3 as the result.

2. Total Cells: – COLUMNS function can be used with ROWS function to get total number of cells in a range. In the following example we use the syntax =ROWS(A4:C9)*COLUMNS(A4:C9),which gives 18 as the result.

COLUMNS EXAMPLE EXCEL FILE Download