Count the Number of Cells Containing Numbers in Excel
This tutorial explains how to use the COUNT function to count cells containing numerical values in Excel.
In marketing or sales, there are many opportunities to aggregate sales and the number of visitors. Following the COUNTIF function introduced last time, this article explains the COUNT function helpful for counting how many cells with numbers entered. For example, in a schedule of seminar attendance, you can immediately view how many cells are aggregated and numerically entered.
COUNT is a function that aggregates the number of cells containing numbers. It is a function that can be conveniently used in a summary table, such as sales and the number of people.
COUNT ignores empty cells and cells that contain text value and can not count with a specified condition.
COUNT() Syntax
The syntax of the COUNT function is as follows:
=COUNT(value1, [value2], [value3], ...)
Arguments
- Value1: The first item, a range of cells, or cell reference that you want to count numbers.
- Value2: Optional. The second item, a range of cells, or cell reference that you want to count numbers.
- Value3: Optional. The third item, a range of cells, or cell reference that you want to count numbers.
Remarks
- You can specify up to 255 arguments.
- COUNT does not count any cell that contains text value.
COUNT() Function Examples
Suppose you have the demo list of items that consist of item code, item name, quantity, unit price, and unit cost, as shown below.
A | B | C | D | E | |
1 | Item Code | Item Name | Qty | Unit Cost ($) | Unit Price ($) |
2 | Item01 | Desktop PC 1 | 22 | 200.00 | 225.00 |
3 | Item02 | Desktop PC 2 | 20 | 150.00 | 750.00 |
4 | Item03 | Desktop PC 3 | 25 | 210.00 | 235.00 |
5 | Item04 | Desktop PC 4 | 27 | 780.00 | 785.00 |
6 | Item05 | Desktop PC 5 | 30 | 1040.00 | 1010.00 |
7 | Item06 | Desktop PC 6 | 38 | 230.00 | 255.00 |
8 | Item07 | Desktop PC 7 | 41 | 274.00 | 290.00 |
Example 1: Counting the number of cells in a single range
Let's say you want to count the number of cells containing numbers in cells C2 through C8.
The COUNT() formula is as follows:
=COUNT(C2:C8)
The formula returns 7.
Example 2: Counting the number of cells in multiple ranges
You can use COUNT() to count the number of cells in multiple ranges, as the following formula shows:
=COUNT(C2:C8, D3:D5, E4:E6)
Example 3: COUNT() ignores blank cells and cells containing text
COUNT() doesn't count blank cells and cells that contain text value.
Here is an example:
=COUNT(A2:E2)
The formula returns 3 because cells A2 and B2 in the range are the text value.
Example 4: COUNTBLANK
To count the number of blank cells, use the following syntax:
=COUNTBLANK(range)
The range argument is the range of cells that you want to count.
Here is an example:
=COUNTBLANK(A2:E8)
The formula returns 0 because there are no blank cells in the range A2: E8.
Example 4: COUNTA
You can count the number of cells containing any types of information by using the following syntax:
=COUNTA(value1, [value2], [value3], ...)
The following example shows how to use COUNTA():
=COUNTA(A2:E2, A4:E4, C5:E8)
Summary
In this tutorial, you've learned how to use the COUNT function and formula in Excel.
The COUNT function identifies the cells containing numeric values that Excel recognizes. The COUNT function ignores strings, logical values, or error values.
COUNT() is a function to count the number of cells containing numbers in a range of cells.
If you want to count the number of cells containing text, error values, and empty text, use the COUNTA() function.
The following are other count functions: