Welcome to the wonderful world of Google Sheets! Today, I’m going to reveal one of my juiciest secrets – the COLUMNS function. Are you ready to level up your Google Sheets game? Buckle up and let’s dive right in!
Learn How to Use the COLUMNS Function in Google Sheets
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand the purpose of the COLUMNS function. This incredible tool allows you to determine the number of columns within a specific range. It’s like having X-ray vision for your sheet!
To use the COLUMNS function, simply follow this syntax:
COLUMNS(range)Now, let’s take a look at a practical example to make things crystal clear:
In the screenshot above, we have a range from A1 to B7. As you can see, there are two columns – Column A and Column B. When we apply the COLUMNS function with this range, it returns the value 2. Easy peasy, right?
Here’s another example to showcase the power of the COLUMNS function:
=COLUMNS(A1:D5)Can you guess the result of this formula? Drumroll, please… It returns 4! Why, you ask? Well, because the range A1 to D5 contains four columns – A, B, C, and D.
Amazing, isn’t it? The COLUMNS function in Google Sheets doesn’t discriminate based on the content of the columns. Whether they’re filled with values or empty, it won’t affect the result. Talk about unconditional love!
The Difference Between the COLUMN and COLUMNS Functions in Google Sheets
Now that you’ve mastered the COLUMNS function, let’s take a moment to understand its counterpart – the COLUMN function. Don’t worry, I’ll make this quick and painless!
Here’s a concise comparison between the COLUMN and COLUMNS functions:
- COLUMNS returns the total number of columns in a given range.
- COLUMN returns the column number of a specific cell.
To demonstrate the COLUMN function, take a look at this simple formula:
=COLUMN(C1)Guess what this formula returns? It’s 3! Why? Because C is the third column in the sheet. Pretty straightforward, right?
But wait, there’s more! You can also use the COLUMN function with a range to return multiple column numbers. Check out this example:
=ArrayFormula(COLUMN(C1:E1))This formula will give you three separate cells, each displaying the column numbers 3, 4, and 5. It’s like magic!
You May Like: Learn ArrayFormula Use in Google Sheets
And there you have it – the difference between the COLUMNS and COLUMN functions in Google Sheets. You can harness the power of both functions to unlock even more advanced features. Exciting, right?
While we’ve covered various use cases for the COLUMN function, I haven’t dived into the advanced use of the COLUMNS function just yet. But don’t fret! I promise to come back with a tutorial soon and share the link below. Stay tuned and get ready to level up your Google Sheets skills!
Advanced Use of Google Sheets Column Function
