Excel COLUMN function
Returns a cell’s column number: COLUMN(C1) is 3. In Spanish Excel it is called COLUMNA.
Syntax
English Excel
=COLUMN([reference])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=COLUMNA([ref])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=COLUMNA([ref])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| referenceoptional | The cell whose column you want; if omitted, the formula’s own cell. |
Example
ROW() returns the row number of the cell holding the formula, and ROW(A5) that of another cell. Subtracting ROW($A$1) numbers from 1 and keeps working when you insert rows above. COLUMN does the same for columns.
=COLUMN(C1)
Common mistake
Inside VLOOKUP, COLUMN(C1) instead of a typed 3 makes the number move forward as you copy the formula right.
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Practice COLUMN
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
ROW and COLUMN: automatic numbering
ROW() returns the row number of the cell holding the formula, and ROW(A5) that of another cell. Subtracting ROW($A$1) numbers from 1 and keeps working when you insert rows above. COLUMN does the same for columns.
In A2, number the products from 1 using ROW, so it does not depend on typed numbers.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. | Product | Price | Price column | |||
| 2 | Keyboard | 450.00 | |||||
| 3 | Mouse | 220.00 | |||||
| 4 | Monitor | 3,200.00 | |||||
| 5 | Headphones | 680.00 | |||||
| 6 | Webcam | 890.00 | |||||
| 7 | Laptop stand | 540.00 | |||||
| 8 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is COLUMN called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is COLUMNA. The formula =COLUMN(C1) is written =COLUMNA(C1) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does COLUMN use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common COLUMN mistake?
- Inside VLOOKUP, COLUMN(C1) instead of a typed 3 makes the number move forward as you copy the formula right.