Show All

Hide All

This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the COUNTA function (function: A prewritten formula that takes a value or values, performs an operation, and returns a value or values. Use functions to simplify and shorten formulas on a worksheet, especially those that perform lengthy or complex calculations.) in Microsoft Office Excel.

Description

The COUNTA function counts the number of cells that are not empty in a range (range: Two or more cells on a sheet. The cells in a range can be adjacent or nonadjacent.).

Syntax

COUNTA(value1, [value2], ...)

The COUNTA function syntax has the following arguments (argument: A value that provides information to an action, an event, a method, a property, a function, or a procedure.):

• value1  Required. The first argument representing the values that you want to count.
• value2, ...  Optional. Additional arguments representing the values that you want to count, up to a maximum of 255 arguments.

Remarks

• The COUNTA function counts cells containing any type of information, including error values and empty text (""). For example, if the range contains a formula that returns an empty string, the COUNTA function counts that value. The COUNTA function does not count empty cells.
• If you do not need to count logical values, text, or error values (in other words, if you want to count only cells that contain numbers), use the COUNT function.
• If you want to count only cells that meet certain criteria, use the COUNTIF function or the COUNTIFS function.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

How do I copy an example?