totn Excel Functions

MS Excel: How to use the COLUMN Function (WS)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel COLUMN function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel COLUMN function returns the column number of a cell reference.

The COLUMN function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Lookup/Reference Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the COLUMN function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the COLUMN function in Microsoft Excel is:

COLUMN( [reference] )

Parameters or Arguments

reference
Optional. It is a reference to a cell or range of cells. If the reference parameter is omitted, it assumes that the reference is the cell address in which the COLUMN function has been entered in.

Returns

The COLUMN function returns a numeric value.

Applies To

  • Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • Worksheet function (WS)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some Excel COLUMN function examples and explore how to use the COLUMN function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Excel

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following COLUMN examples would return:

=COLUMN()
Result: 3   'Because the COLUMN function has been entered in cell C1, as per picture above

=COLUMN(C1)
Result: 3

=COLUMN(B4)
Result: 2

=COLUMN(B4:B6)
Result: 2