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COLUMN

Returns the column number of a reference.

Quick Example​

=COLUMN(C5)

Returns 3 (C is the 3rd column).

Syntax​

=COLUMN([reference])

Arguments​

  • reference (optional): The cell or range for which you want the column number. If omitted, returns the column of the cell containing the formula.

Examples​

=COLUMN()                // Returns column of current cell
=COLUMN(A1)              // Returns 1
=COLUMN(C5)              // Returns 3
=COLUMN(Z1)              // Returns 26
=COLUMN(AA1)             // Returns 27
=COLUMN(B2:E2)           // Returns 2 (leftmost column)

How It Works​

Column Numbering​

  • A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, ..., Z = 26
  • AA = 27, AB = 28, etc.

With Ranges​

Returns column of the leftmost cell:

=COLUMN(C1:F1)  // Returns 3 (column C)

No Argument​

=COLUMN()  // Returns column number of cell containing formula

Common Use Cases​

Create Column Headers​

=CHAR(64 + COLUMN())  // Returns A, B, C, etc.

Conditional Formatting by Column​

=MOD(COLUMN(), 2) = 0  // TRUE for even columns

Dynamic References​

=INDEX(Data, ROW(), COLUMN())

Column-Based Calculations​

=IF(COLUMN() > 5, "Past deadline", "")

Error Handling​

ErrorCauseSolution
#VALUE!Reference is not validProvide valid cell reference
#VALUE!More than 1 argumentUse 0 or 1 arguments only

Technical Details​

  • Takes 0 or 1 arguments
  • Returns column number as a number (double)
  • For ranges, returns leftmost column
  • Column A = 1, B = 2, etc.
  • ROW - Get row number