Excel COLUMNS function
Counts how many columns a range or result has. In Spanish Excel it is called COLUMNAS.
Syntax
English Excel
=COLUMNS(array)
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=COLUMNAS(matriz)
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=COLUMNAS(matriz)
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| array | The range or result to measure. |
Example
ROWS counts a range’s rows and COLUMNS its columns. Multiplied, they tell you how many cells there are, and COUNT how many hold numbers: the difference is the gaps still to fill.
=ROWS(B2:E6)*COLUMNS(B2:E6)
Common mistake
With ROWS it gives a table’s size: ROWS(range)*COLUMNS(range) is the number of cells.
About Ads
This site uses Google AdSense to display ads. These ads help us keep WebHerramientas completely free. Ads are managed by Google and meet strict security and privacy standards.
Ads help us keep WebHerramientas free for everyone
Practice COLUMNS
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
Table size: ROWS and COLUMNS
ROWS counts a range’s rows and COLUMNS its columns. Multiplied, they tell you how many cells there are, and COUNT how many hold numbers: the difference is the gaps still to fill.
=ROWS(B2:E6)*COLUMNS(B2:E6)FILAS = ROWSCOLUMNAS = COLUMNSCONTAR = COUNTCONTAR.BLANCO = COUNTBLANKIn H1, calculate how many cells the sales block B2:E6 has.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Branch | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Cells | |||
| 2 | Downtown | 120 | 135 | 150 | Missing | ||||
| 3 | North | 98 | 110 | 104 | |||||
| 4 | South | 143 | 150 | 162 | |||||
| 5 | East | 87 | 90 | 95 | 99 | ||||
| 6 | West | 118 | 121 | 125 | |||||
| 7 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is COLUMNS called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is COLUMNAS. The formula =ROWS(B2:E6)*COLUMNS(B2:E6) is written =FILAS(B2:E6)*COLUMNAS(B2:E6) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does COLUMNS 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 COLUMNS mistake?
- With ROWS it gives a table’s size: ROWS(range)*COLUMNS(range) is the number of cells.