BeginnerCounting
Syntax
=COUNTA(value1, [value2], ...)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
value1 | The cells or range to look through. |
Examples with results
Every result below is calculated by the practice engine on the sample data shown, not typed in by hand.
Office supplies sales (fictional)
| Row | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Qty | Unit price | Region | Date |
| 2 | Pen | 10 | 1.5 | North | 2025-01-15 |
| 3 | Notebook | 5 | 12 | South | 2025-02-03 |
| 4 | Pen | 20 | 1.5 | South | 2025-02-28 |
| 5 | Stapler | 2 | 40 | North | 2025-03-10 |
| 6 | Folder | 15 | 3.25 | East | 2025-03-22 |
| 7 | Notebook | 8 | 12 | East | 2025-04-05 |
| 8 | Pen | 12 | 1.5 | North | 2025-04-18 |
| 9 | Marker | 30 | 2 | South | 2025-05-02 |
=COUNTA(A2:A9)Number of rows with an item name
List A and list B (fictional)
| Row | A | B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ordered | Received |
| 2 | P-101 | P-102 |
| 3 | P-102 | P-101 |
| 4 | P-103 | P-105 |
| 5 | P-104 | P-103 |
| 6 | P-105 |
=COUNTA(B2:B6)Received items listed (the empty cell is skipped)
Try it yourself
Change the formula or switch to other sample data.
Press Calculate to see the result.
The practice box runs in your browser with BDK’s own calculator, which covers about 60 common functions. Cell references work as in Excel (B2, B2:B9). Your formulas are not saved or sent anywhere. For anything unusual, check the result in Excel itself.
How people use COUNTA at work
- HR
Headcount: how many names are on the list.
Data: Team list (fictional)=COUNTA(A2:A8) - Operations
How many SKUs are listed.
Data: Stock levels (fictional)=COUNTA(A2:A6)
Common mistakes and tips
- A cell that looks empty but holds a space or a formula returning "" is counted.
Works in
All versions of Excel, and Google Sheets.
Related formulas
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