COUNT & COUNTA
Count numeric observations separately from populated cells.
By the end, you’ll be able to:
- Use COUNT for numeric cells
- Use COUNTA for nonempty cells
- Distinguish missing, zero and text entries
Numbers and entries are different counts
A small order log contains quantities, an empty cell and the word Pending. Adding quantities gives total units. Counting them answers another question: how many numeric quantities have actually been recorded?
COUNT counts numbers in referenced cells, including zero. COUNTA counts cells containing information, including numbers and text. Neither function alone checks whether an order is complete or a record is valid.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record | Quantity |
| 2 | A101 | 12 |
| 3 | A102 | |
| 4 | A103 | Pending |
| 5 | A104 | 0 |
| 6 | A105 | 8 |
Syntax and arguments
=COUNT(value1, [value2], ...)=COUNTA(value1, [value2], ...)value1 is required and can be a cell or range. Additional values or ranges are optional. Separate arguments with commas, or the separator required by your Excel locale.
For an ordinary dataset, pass a range such as B2:B6. Exclude the heading. A text heading does not affect COUNT, but adds one to COUNTA.
Worked example: quantity records
The numeric quantities in B2:B6 are 12, 0 and 8. =COUNT(B2:B6) returns 3. The empty cell and Pending are not numeric observations.
=COUNTA(B2:B6) returns 4: 12, Pending, 0 and 8 are all populated. =COUNTA(A2:A6) returns 5, because all five order identifiers are present.
This suggests five orders exist, three numeric quantities are recorded and one further quantity cell contains a status word. It does not prove the missing quantity is zero or every identifier is unique.
A blank-looking cell may contain something
COUNTA counts spaces and formulas that return empty text, such as ="". A cell that looks empty is not always truly empty. Clear its contents if that is what you intend.
Dates recognized by Excel are stored as numbers and count in COUNT. A date stored as text does not count in a referenced range. Check imported data types before interpreting a count.
Pending counts as information but may not be a valid quantity. Later, COUNTIF and validation help answer more precise questions.
These exercises focus on referenced ranges. Excel has additional conversion rules for values typed directly as arguments; the checker does not attempt every conversion rule.
Give it a try.
Work through each exercise, check your answer and use a hint whenever you need one. Formula tasks check changed inputs, including boundary cases.
0 of 4 exercises complete
The bounded practice checker accepts equivalent supported formulas, lowercase function names and text labels, extra spaces, and comma or semicolon separators. Array tasks check the complete result shape and values. It is a teaching tool, not a complete Excel engine. See supported behavior.
Take this with you
COUNT measures numeric entries. COUNTA measures nonempty entries. Neither automatically measures valid, complete or unique records.
Practice in Excel
Download the course workbook, follow the tasks, save your completed .xlsx and check its supported formula tasks here. Native Excel features use a separate review checklist.
Download practice workbook Check my workbook ↗Technical references and lesson review
Original lesson content. Technical behavior checked against Microsoft documentation. Reviewed 2026-10-16.