How to use the COLUMN function

The COLUMN function returns the column number of the top-left cell of a cell reference. If the argument is not entered the column number of the cell the formula is entered in is returned, see cell B6 in the picture above.

1. COLUMN Function Syntax

COLUMN(reference)

2. COLUMN Function Arguments

reference

Optional. The cell reference for which you want to extract the column number from.

The COLUMN function allows you to also return an array of column numbers if you enter the formula as an array formula and use a cell range containing multiple columns.

You can not use multiple cell references in the COLUMN function.

3. COLUMN Function example

Formula in cell B3:

Column letter V corresponds to column number 22. A is 1, B is 2, and so on.

4. How to convert a column number to a column letter?

The formula in cell C3 calculates the column letter from a column number. Column number 1 is column A, column 2 is B, and so on. See the image above.

Formula in cell C3:

4.1 Explaining formula in cell C3

Step 1 - Calculate cell address

The ADDRESS function returns the address of a specific cell, you need to provide a row and column number.

ADDRESS(row_num, column_num, [abs_num], [a1], [sheet_text])

ADDRESS(1,B3,4,1)

becomes

ADDRESS(1,22,4,1)

and returns "V1".

Step 2 - Calculate number of characters in cell address

The LEN function calculates the number of characters in a given string.

LEN(ADDRESS(1,B3,4,1))-1

becomes

LEN("V1")-1

becomes

2-1 equals 1.

Step 3 - Extract column letter from cell address

The LEFT function extracts a specific number of characters always starting from the left.

LEFT(ADDRESS(1,B3,4,1), LEN(ADDRESS(1,B3,4,1))-1)

becomes

LEFT("V1", 1)

and returns "V" in cell C3.

Back to top

5. How to convert a column letter to a column number?

The formula in cell C3 calculates the column number from a column letter. Column number 1 is column A, column 2 is B, and so on. See the image above.

Formula in cell C3:

5.1 Explaining formula in cell C3

Step 1 - Concatenate strings

The ampersand character lets you concatenate values.

B3&1

becomes

"V"&1

and returns "V1".

Step 2 - Create cell reference

The INDIRECT function returns the cell reference based on a text string.

INDIRECT(B3&1)

becomes

INDIRECT("V1")

and returns cell reference V1.

Step 3 - Calculate column number

COLUMN(INDIRECT(B3&1))

becomes

COLUMN(V1)

and returns 22 in cell C3.

Back to top

6. How can the COLUMN function return an array?

The COLUMN function calculates the column number from a cell reference, the column function returns an array of numbers if the cell reference points to a cell range that has multiple columns.

Formula in cell B3:

The formula in cell B3 returns a horizontal array of numbers from 1 to 3 representing the column numbers of cells A1, B1, and C1. Column letter A is 1, column 2 is B, and so on.

You need to enter this formula in cell B3 as an array formula if you own an earlier Excel version than Excel 365.

Back to top

7. COLUMN function and VLOOKUP

The formula in cell C3 combines the VLOOKUP and the COLUMN functions to get all values from the same row if the lookup value matches the leftmost value in the table array.

Formula in cell B3:

7.1 Explaining formula in cell C10

Step 1 - Calculate column number

The cell reference (B1) changes when you copy the cell and paste it to adjacent cells. This makes the COLUMN function return a different value in each cell.

COLUMN(B1) returns 2.

Step 2 - Evaluate VLOOKUP function

The VLOOKUP function lets you search the leftmost column for a value and return another value on the same row in a column you specify.

VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

The third argument lets you choose which column to fetch a value from, this allows us to get all values from the same row when we copy the cell and paste it to adjacent cells.

VLOOKUP($B10,$B$3:$F$7,COLUMN(B1))

becomes

VLOOKUP($B10,$B$3:$F$7, 2)

and returns "ASD" in cell C10.

Back to top

8. COLUMN function of other columns

The COLUMN function accepts no arguments at all, this will return the column number of the cell that the function is entered in.

Formula in cell B3:

The formula above does not change when you copy the cell and paste it to adjacent cells, however, the output is different. Cell C3 is the third column and therefore 3 is returned.

You can also use a cell reference to any other column or columns, see the formula below.

Formula in cell B6:

This formula returns the column number of cell K1 which is the argument used in this example. The cell reference is a relative cell reference meaning it changes when you copy the cell and pastes it to adjacent cells, see cell range C6:D6 in the image above.

The formula below returns an array of numbers 11, 12, and 13. They correspond to the cells in cell range K1:M1 and represent their column numbers.

Formula:

You need to enter this formula as an array formula in order to see all numbers in the array unless you are using Excel 365. Note that the array is a horizontal array with the same size as there are cells in the supplied cell range.

Back to top

9. COLUMN function with a cell ref to a cell range?

The COLUMN function repeats the array of numbers if entered in a cell range.

Array formula in cell B3:

Note, the formula is entered as a regular formula if your Excel version is 365.

Back to top

10. Create a horizontal sequence

The COLUMN function can create a sequence of numbers that can be useful both in formulas and on a worksheet.

Formula in cell B3:

The formula above creates a horizontal sequence from 1 to n or as far as you copy the formula.

Formula in cell B6:

The formula in cell B6 creates a horizontal sequence containing odd numbers from 1 to n. Copy cell B6 and paste to adjacent cells on the same row as far as needed.

Formula in cell B9:

The formula in cell B9 creates a horizontal sequence containing odd numbers from 1 to n.

Back to top

11. COLUMN function and SMALL function

The COLUMN function combined with the SMALL function can extract and sort numbers from a cell range or array.

Formula in cell B8:

This is a regular formula.

11.1 Explaining formula in cell B8

Step 1 - Calculate sequence number

COLUMN(A1) returns 1.

Step 2 - Evaluate SMALL function

The SMALL function returns the k-th smallest value from a group of numbers. The first argument is a cell range or array that you want to find the k-th smallest number from.

The second and last argument is k which is a number from 1 up to the number of values you have in the first argument.

SMALL(array, k)

SMALL($B$3:$B$5, COLUMN(A1))

becomes

SMALL($B$3:$B$5, 1)

becomes

SMALL({5; -2; 3}, {1})

and returns -2.

Back to top

12. How to use the COLUMN function in VBA?

The COLUMN function does not exist in the WorksheetFunction object. You can use the RANGE.COLUMN property to achieve the same thing.

The macro below saves the column number from cell B3 to cell B3. Column B is the second column.

Sub Macro1()

Range("B3") = Range("B3").Column

End Sub

Back to top

Back to top

14. Extract table headers based on a condition

This article demonstrates an array formula that returns the table header based on a condition. For example, in cell C8 the formula returns A because 1 is found in cell C2 and C4.

The formula in cell C9 returns A because 2 is found once in cell range C3:C5, the condition is in column B.

The following array formula extracts column headers based on the condition in cell B8 and cells below.

Array formula in cell C8:

Excel 365 dynamic array formula in cell C8:

Copy cell C8 and paste to cells below as far as needed.

How to create an array formula

1. Copy array formula
2. Select cell B7
3. Paste formula in formula bar
4. Press and hold Ctrl + Shift
5. Press Enter

How to copy array formula

1. Select cell B7
2. Copy cell (not formula)
3. Select cell range C7:F7
4. Paste (Ctrl +v)

Explaining array formula in cell C8

Step 1 - Filter column numbers

The IF function checks if value in cell B8 is equal to any of the cells in cell range C3:G5.

IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), "")

IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])

The logical_test is $B8=$C$3:$G$5, it returns TRUE if equal and FALSE if not equal.

IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), "")

becomes

IF("1"={1, 1, 2, 2, 2;2, 1, 1, 0, 0;1, 1, 1, 2, 0}, {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, "")

becomes

IF({TRUE, TRUE, FALSE, FALSE, FALSE;FALSE, TRUE, TRUE, FALSE, FALSE;TRUE, TRUE, TRUE, FALSE, FALSE}, {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, "")

and returns

{1, 2, "", "", "";"", 2, 3, "", "";1, 2, 3, "", ""}

This array tells us that 1 is found in column 1, 2 and 3.

Step 2 - Calculate the frequencies of the numbers in the array

The FREQUENCY function allows you to extract only one instance of each header.

FREQUENCY(IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), ""), COLUMN($C$3:$G$5))

becomes

FREQUENCY({1, 2, "", "", "";"", 2, 3, "", "";1, 2, 3, "", ""}, {1, 2, 3, 4, 5})

and returns

{2;3;2;0;0;0}

If a value in this array is larger than 0 (zero) you know that the corresponding header is found in the cell range.

Step 3 - Extract unique distinct numbers

The IF function returns the corresponding column number if a value is larger than 0 (zero).

IF(FREQUENCY(IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), ""), COLUMN($C$3:$G$5))>0, ROW($A$1:$A$5), "")

becomes

IF({2;3;2;0;0;0}>0, {1; 2; 3; 4; 5}, "")

and returns

{1; 2; 3; ""; ""}

Step 4 - Return the k-th smallest value

The SMALL function returns the k-th smallest value in the array. SMALL(array, k)

SMALL(IF(FREQUENCY(IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), ""), COLUMN($C$3:$G$5))>0, MATCH(ROW($C$2:$C$6), ROW($C$2:$C$6)), ""), COLUMN(A1))

becomes

SMALL({1; 2; 3; ""; ""}, 1)

and returns 1.

Step 5 - Return the value of a cell at the intersection of a particular row and column

The INDEX function returns a value based on a row and column number.

INDEX($A$1:$E$1, SMALL(IF(FREQUENCY(IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), ""), COLUMN($C$3:$G$5))>0, MATCH(ROW($C$2:$C$6), ROW($C$2:$C$6)), ""), COLUMN(A1)))

becomes

INDEX($A$1:$E$1, 1)

becomes

INDEX({"A", "B", "C", "D", "E"}, 1)

and returns A in cell B7.

Step 6 - Return value_if_error if expression is an error and the value of the expression itself otherwise

The IFERROR function returns a blank (nothing) if an errror is returned.

=IFERROR(INDEX($A$1:$E$1, SMALL(IF(FREQUENCY(IF($B8=$C$3:$G$5, COLUMN($C$3:$G$5), ""), COLUMN($C$3:$G$5))>0, MATCH(ROW($C$2:$C$6), ROW($C$2:$C$6)), ""), COLUMN(A1))), "")

becomes

=IFERROR("A", "")

and returns A in cell C8.

'COLUMN' function examples

Functions in 'Lookup and reference' category

The COLUMN function function is one of 25 functions in the 'Lookup and reference' category.

Excel function categories

Excel categories

Comments (5)