Excel COLUMNS Function

Summary

The Excel COLUMNS function returns the count of columns in a given reference. For example, COLUMNS(A1:C3) returns 3, since the range A1:C3 contains 3 columns.

Purpose

Get the number of columns in an array or reference.

Return value

A number representing column count.

Syntax

=COLUMNS (array)

Arguments

array - A reference to a range of cells.

Usage notes

Use the COLUMNS function to get the number of columns in a reference. For example, the formula =COLUMNS(A1:F1) returns the number 6.

Array can be an array, an array formula, or a reference to a single contiguous group of cells.