COUNT vs COUNTA
COUNT counts only cells with numbers; COUNTA counts every non-empty cell.
| COUNT | COUNTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Counts numbers and dates | Yes | Yes |
| Counts text | No | Yes |
| Counts errors | No | Yes |
| Counts "" from a formula | No | Yes, even though it looks empty |
Syntax and example
COUNT
=COUNT(value1, [value2], …)
=COUNT(B2:B9)
Counts how many cells contain numbers (dates included).
COUNTA
=COUNTA(value1, [value2], …)
=COUNTA(A2:A9)
Counts cells that are not blank, whether they hold numbers, text or errors.
Which one to use?
To count how many sales have an amount, COUNT. To count names in a list, COUNTA.
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 it
Solve the exercise on the sheet; it is checked instantly. See all lessons · Formula translator
COUNT and COUNTA
COUNT counts only cells that hold numbers. COUNTA counts every cell that is not blank, whether it holds numbers or text. Use them to know how many records you have.
In E2, count how many employees have overtime logged as a number (a 0 counts too).
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee | Overtime hours | ||||
| 2 | Marisol | 4 | With hours logged | |||
| 3 | Fernando | Pending | Total employees | |||
| 4 | Gabriela | 7 | ||||
| 5 | Hugo | |||||
| 6 | Daniela | 2 | ||||
| 7 | Óscar | 0 | ||||
| 8 | Natalia | Pending | ||||
| 9 | Raúl | 5 | ||||
| 10 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between COUNT and COUNTA?
- COUNT counts only cells with numbers; COUNTA counts every non-empty cell.
- When should I use COUNT or COUNTA?
- To count how many sales have an amount, COUNT. To count names in a list, COUNTA.