Excel COUNT vs COUNTA Function Explained | Excel Formula Guide

Understand the difference between COUNT and COUNTA functions in Excel. Learn syntax, use cases, and examples to improve your data counting skills.

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COUNT

• The COUNT function counts the number of cells that contain numbers, and counts numbers within the list of arguments.
• Use the COUNT function to get the number of entries in a number field that is in a range or array of numbers.

For example, you can enter the following formula to count the numbers in the range A1:A20: =COUNT(A1:A20). In this example, if five of the cells in the range contain numbers, the result is 5.

• Video Tutorial: Count function in excel

further reading:

• COUNT function - Microsoft Support

COUNTA

• The COUNTA function counts the number of cells that are not empty in a range.

• Video Tutorial: Use of COUNTA function

See Also

• COUNTA function - Microsoft Support

Exercise : Counting Numbers in a Range

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. In column A, enter a list of numbers, including some blank cells and non-numeric values (e.g., A1: 5, A2: 10, A3: “Text,” A4: 15, A5: 20, A6: Blank, A7: 25).
3. In cell B1, use the COUNT function to count the number of cells in column A that contain numbers.
4. The formula should be “=COUNT(A1:A7).” The result should be 4, as there are four numeric values in the range.

Exercise : Basic COUNT Function

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. In column A, enter a mix of numbers and text (e.g., A1: 5, A2: “Apple,” A3: 10, A4: 15, A5: “Orange”).
3. In cell B1, use the COUNT function to count the number of numeric values in column A. Your formula should be like this: =COUNT(A1:A5).

Exercise : Counting Blank Cells

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Create a range of cells (e.g., A1:A10) where some cells have values, and others are blank.
3. In cell B1, use the COUNTBLANK function to count the number of blank cells in the range (e.g., “=COUNTBLANK(A1:A10)”).