totn Excel Functions

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

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

Description

The Microsoft Excel ROW function returns the row number of a cell reference.

The ROW 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 ROW function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the ROW function in Microsoft Excel is:

ROW( [reference] )

Parameters or Arguments

reference
Optional. It is a reference to a cell or range of cells.

Returns

The ROW function returns a numeric value.

Note

If the reference parameter is omitted, it assumes that the reference is the cell address in which the ROW function has been entered in.

Microsoft Excel

For example, the ROW function used in the picture above returns 1 because the ROW function has been entered in cell A1. Therefore, it assumes the following formula:

=ROW(A1)

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 ROW function examples and explore how to use the ROW function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Excel

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

=ROW(B4)
Result: 4

=ROW(A5:C5)
Result: 5

=ROW(B1:G9)
Result: 1