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How to convert a column letter to a number in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=COLUMN(INDIRECT(A2&"1"))Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Enter the column letter(s) you want to convert in column A (e.g., A, B, Z, AA).
- 2In column B, type =COLUMN(INDIRECT(A2&"1")) and press Enter.
- 3INDIRECT(A2&"1") constructs a reference like 'A1' from the letter, and COLUMN() returns its numeric position.
- 4Copy the formula down for each letter in column A.
Tips
- This formula is case-insensitive — both 'a' and 'A' return 1 because INDIRECT handles column letters in either case.
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Frequently asked
Does this work for two-letter columns like AB or ZZ?
Yes — =COLUMN(INDIRECT("AB1")) returns 28 and =COLUMN(INDIRECT("ZZ1")) returns 702, just as those columns appear in the spreadsheet.
Why do I append '1' inside INDIRECT?
INDIRECT needs a valid cell address like 'A1', not just a column letter. Appending '1' gives it the row number it needs to construct a reference.