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.
