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Excel

COLUMN function in Excel

Returns the column number of a reference

=COLUMN([reference])

COLUMN syntax and parameters

One argument, zero required.

  • referencerangeOptional

COLUMN examples

Formulas you'll actually reuse.

  1. The column number behind a header cell, for INDEX or OFFSET math:

    =COLUMN(D2)

    Result4

  2. A 1, 2, 3… counter that survives inserting columns to its left (fill right from B):

    =COLUMN() - COLUMN($B$1) + 1

    Result1

COLUMN in Google Sheets

Same name — your formula ports as-is.

Try COLUMN in the playground

Edit the example — nothing to install.

Preloaded with the COLUMN formula from Example 1 — change anything and watch it respond.

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Related functions

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