COLUMN Function in Excel

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In this blog post we will learn to about COLUMN function in excel. COLUMN function will return column number of a selected cell.

Where to find COLUMN function on Excel Screen:

COLUMN function can be found under “Lookup & Reference” function category under “Formulas” tab and under “Function Library” group as shown in below image:


Once we click on “Lookup & Reference” function category, we can see list of various Lookup & Reference functions available in excel. COLUMN function is highlighted in blue in below image.


Once we click on COLUMN option as highlighted above, we will get the function argument dialog box as shown in below image:



Syntax of COLUMN Function:

The Syntax of COLUMN function is as below:

=COLUMN()



Arguments of COLUMN Function:

COLUMN function takes only one argument.

reference: In this argument, we have to provide cell reference of a cell for which we want to find out COLUMN number.

If we do not provide any reference here, then excel will automatically provide the COLUMN number of a cell where we are currently typing this function.

Example of COLUMN Function:

Let’s learn to use COLUMN function with the below example. We have prepared a dummy data as shown in below screenshot. In this we have highlighted few cells with different colors. Now, we will find out the COLUMN numbers of these colored cells with the help of COLUMN function.


For this, we have to Select the cell in which we want to find out the COLUMN number of highlighted cell. In this case we have selected “B2”.


In selected cell “B2”, we will apply COLUMN function as shown in below image where we have provided reference of a yellow highlighted cell.


Once we hit enter button, we can see the output out COLUMN function in below image.


To apply COLUMN function in all the remaining cells in row 2, we have to just copy the COLUMN function which we applied in cell B2 and paste it in remaining cells. We can see the result in all the remaining cells as shown in below image.


In this way we can use COLUMN function in excel.
Microsoft Certified Excel Expert, Enthusiastic to teach excel tricks and basic excel concepts which will help to save time and efforts in our daily office work.

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