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COUNTA vs COUNT: counting text and numbers in Excel and Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=COUNTA(A2:A7)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Status |
| 100 |
| Pending |
| 200 |
| N/A |
| 300 |
| 50 |
=COUNTA(A2:A7)→6
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Step by step
- 1COUNTA(A2:A7) counts every non-empty cell — text and numbers — here 6.
- 2COUNT(A2:A7) on the same range returns 4, because it ignores the two text cells.
- 3Use COUNTA for "how many entries", COUNT for "how many numeric values".
Tips
- Neither counts truly blank cells; a cell with a formula returning "" is counted by COUNTA but looks empty.
- To count blanks instead, use COUNTBLANK.
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Frequently asked
Does COUNTA count a cell containing 0?
Yes. Zero is a value, so both COUNT and COUNTA include it.
Why does COUNTA seem too high?
Cells that look empty may hold a space or a formula returning "". COUNTA counts those. Clean them with TRIM or check for hidden content.