COLUMNS

Returns the number of columns in an array or reference.

Syntax

COLUMNS(array)

Array is an array or array formula, or a reference to a range of cells for which you want the number of columns.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help
Press CTRL+C.
In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

A	B
Formula	Description (Result)
=COLUMNS(C1:E4)	Number of columns in the reference (3)
=COLUMNS({1,2,3;4,5,6})	Number of columns in the array constant (3)