Excel - Microsoft Excel COUNT Function

Description

The Excel Count function returns the number of numeric values in a supplied set of cells or values. This count includes both numbers and dates. 

The syntax of the function is : 

COUNT( value1, [value2], ... ) 

Where the arguments, value1, [value2], etc, can be any values or references to cell ranges. 

In Excel 2007 or 2010, you can enter up to 255 value arguments to the Excel Count function, each of which may consist of any number of cells or values. However, in Excel 2003, the function can only handle up to 30 arguments. 

Which Values are Counted as Numeric Values?

Numbers and dates are always counted as numeric values by the Excel Count function. However, text representations and logical values are counted differently, depending on whether they are supplied as a value in a range of cells, or if they are supplied directly to the function. 

The table below summarises which values are and which are not treated as numeric values by the Excel Count function: 

Count Function Examples

Example 1 - Values Supplied from a Range of Worksheet Cells

The following spreadsheet shows several examples of the Excel Count function, with the values supplied to the function as one or more ranges of cells. 

The spreadsheet on the left shows the formulas and the spreadsheet on the right shows the results. 

Note, in the above example: 

Example 2 - Values Supplied Directly to the Excel Count Function

The following spreadsheet shows several examples of the Excel Count function, with the values supplied directly to the function. 

Again, the spreadsheet on the left shows the formulas and the spreadsheet on the right shows the results. 

Note, in the above example: