COLUMN

Returns the column number of the given reference.

Syntax

COLUMN(reference)

Reference is the cell or range of cells for which you want the column number.

• If reference is omitted, it is assumed to be the reference of the cell in which the COLUMN function appears.

• If reference is a range of cells, and if COLUMN is entered as a horizontal array, COLUMN returns the column numbers of reference as a horizontal array.

• Reference cannot refer to multiple areas.

Example

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

How to copy an example

1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
2. Select the example in the Help topic.

   Note Do not select the row or column headers.

   Selecting an example from Help

3. Press CTRL+C.
4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Formulas tab, in the Formula Auditing group, click the Show Formulas button.

See also:

• COLUMNS
• Lookup and reference functions
• ROW