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Home Excel Excel Resources Statistical Functions in Excel COUNTA Function in Excel

COUNTA Function in Excel

Madhuri Thakur
Article byMadhuri Thakur

Updated June 9, 2023

COUNTA Function in Excel

What is Excel COUNTA Function?

COUNTA Function in Excel is an important function under the group of “count” functions. It counts all the non-empty cells. It counts any type of data that includes:-

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  1. Numeric value
  2. Texts
  3. Alphanumeric values
  4. Logical values
  5. Error-values
  6. Date/Time
  7. Empty text strings(“ ”) and
  8. Space in a cell
Note: Space in the cell looks like a blank cell, but it is not.

COUNTA syntax
The “COUNTA” function  syntax has the following arguments:

  • Value1: An item, cell reference, or range we want to count.
  • Value2: [Optional] item, cell reference, or a range that we want to count up to a maximum of 255 arguments.

CountA() function counts all the nonempty cells. 

Examples of COUNTA Function in Excel

To count the number of cells that are not empty within a range or several non-adjacent ranges, we use the COUNTA function. Now let us look at a few examples.

You can download this COUNTA Function Excel Template here – COUNTA Function Excel Template

Example #1 – Using Numeric Value in COUNTA()

This function uses to count numeric values.

COUNTA function in Excel 1-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 1-2

Example #2 – Using Texts in COUNTA()

This function is used to count text values.

COUNTA Function in Excel 2-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 2-2

Example #3 – Using Alphanumeric Values in COUNTA()

This function is used to count alphanumeric values.

COUNTA Function in Excel 3-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 3-2

Example #4 – Using Logical Values in COUNTA()

This function is used to count logical values.

COUNTA Function in Excel 4-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 4-2

Example #5 – Using Error Values in COUNTA()

This function is used to count error values.

COUNTA Function in Excel 5-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 5-2

Example #6 – Using Date/Time in COUNTA()

This function is used to count the date/time.

COUNTA Function in Excel 6-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 6-2

Example #7 – Using Empty Text Strings in COUNTA()

This function is used to count empty text Strings.

COUNTA Function in Excel 7-1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

COUNTA Function in Excel 7-2

Example #8 – Using Space in a Cell in COUNTA()

This function is used to count space in a cell.

Space in a Cell -1

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

Space in a Cell -2

Example #9 – Count the Number of Cells

Number of Cells -1

The below-mentioned function counts the number of cells in column A, i.e., from A1 to A5.

Number of Cells - 2

After applying the COUNTA function, the answer is 4 because the COUNTA function does not count blank cells. Here, A5 is a blank cell.

Number of Cells -3

In the same example, the function shows the result as 5, whereas in the above case, it shows as 4. The difference occurred due to using the space bar in the second case in an empty cell. Both are appearing same, but actually, they are not. In the above case, A5 is a blank space, whereas in the second case, we used a space bar and made the empty cell non-empty.

Number of Cells - 4

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

Number of Cells -5

The above functions count the number of cells in column A, i.e., from A1 to A5; in column B, it is from B1 to B5. The answer is 8 because the COUNTA function does not count blank cells. Here, A5 and B5 are blank cells.

Number of Cells -6

After applying the COUNTA function, the result is shown below.

Number of Cells -7

How to Use COUNTA() Function in Excel?

Let’s understand the working of the COUNTA() function with a few methods.

Method #1 – Writing the formula of CountA() function in the resulted cell

  • Select the cell where you want to display the result.
  • Write the syntax or the formula of COUNTA and then determine the range of cells to be counted.

method 1

  • Press the Enter Key.

method 1-1

Note: “CountA()” function will not count the blank or empty cell. But will count empty text strings and spaces in a cell. To cross-check, also use “Countblank()” function.

method 1-2

  • Now you can press the Enter key to see the result.

method 1-3

Method #2 – Through Insert Function

  •  Select the cell where you want to display the result.

Method 2

  • Go to the ‘File tab’ in the Excel Ribbon.
  •  Select ‘Insert function’ under ‘Function Library’.
  • ‘Insert function dialog box’ will appear, and type ‘COUNTA’ in the input box corresponding to “Search for a function label”.

Method 2-1

  • Click on the ‘Go’ button. Select the’CountA’ option under the “Select function” label.

Method 2-2

  • Click Ok. The “Function Arguments” dialog box will appear. Under the ‘COUNTA’ section, input the range corresponding to the ‘Value1’ label to count.

Method 2-3

  • Click on OK.

Method 2-3

Method #3 – Through Auto Sum Function

  •  Select the cell where you want to display the result.
  • Go to the ‘File tab‘ in Excel Ribbon.
  • Select ‘AutoSum‘ under ‘Function Library’ ->Select “More Functions…” through a drop-down menu.

Method 3 

  • “Insert function” dialog box will appear, then type ‘COUNTA’ in the text box corresponding to “Search for a function label.”

Method 3-1

Things to Remember

  • COUNTA() function is used to count cells containing values.
  • It ignores “blank cells” from counting but considers empty text strings and spaces in the cell while counting the number of cells.
  • The syntax of the CountA() function, Count() function, and Countblank() function are very similar.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to COUNTA Function in Excel. Here we discuss How to use COUNTA Function in Excel, practical examples, and a downloadable Excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

  1. Excel Count Function
  2. Count Names in Excel
  3. COUNTIFS in Excel
  4. VBA COUNTA 
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