Excel ROW Function
Summary
The Excel ROW function returns the row number for a reference. For example, ROW(C5) returns 5, since C5 is the fifth row in the spreadsheet. When no reference is provided, ROW returns the row number of the cell which contains the formula.
Purpose
Get the row number of a reference
Return value
A number representing the row.
Syntax
=ROW ([reference])
Arguments
- reference - [optional] A reference to a cell or range of cells.
Usage notes
The ROW function returns the row number for a cell or range. For example, =ROW(C3) returns 3, since C3 is the third row in the spreadsheet. When no reference is provided, ROW returns the row number of the cell which contains the formula. If you provide a range as a reference, ROW will return the number of the first row in the range.
Examples
The following formulas show how the ROW function can be used:
The ROW function returns a number for the row in a worksheet. If you need to lookup a row number, see the MATCH function. Use the ROWS function to count the number of rows in a reference.
Notes:
- Reference is optional and will default to the cell in which the ROW function exists.
- Reference cannot include multiple references or addresses.
ROW formula examples
If you need to count unique text values in a range, you can use a formula that uses several functions: FREQUENCY , MATCH, ROW and SUMPRODUCT.
It's also possible to use COUNTIF, as explained below.
Assume you have a...
To find the position (row) of the last file revision in a table, you can use a formula based on several Excel functions: MAX, IF, ISERROR, ROW, and INDEX.
In the example shown, the formula in cell H6 is:
{=MAX(IF(...
To remove non-numeric characters from a text string, you can try this experimental formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, new in Excel 2016. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is:
{=TEXTJOIN("",TRUE,...
To abbreviate text that contains capital letters, you can try this array formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, which is new in Excel 2016. You can use this approach to create initials from names, or to create acronyms...
To highlight rows in groups of "n" (i.e. shade every 3 rows, every 5 rows, etc.) you can apply conditional formatting with a formula based on the ROW, CEILING and ISEVEN functions.
In the example shown, the formula...
To translate letters in a string to numbers, you can use an array formula based on the TEXTJOIN and VLOOKUP functions, with a defined translation table to provide the necessary lookups. In the example shown, the formula...
To reverse a list (i.e. put the items in a list or column in reverse order) you can use a formula based on the INDEX, COUNTA, and ROW functions. In the example shown, the formula in D5, copied down, is:
=INDEX(list,...
To average the last 3 numeric values in a range, you can use an array formula based on a combination of functions to feed the last n numeric values into the AVERAGE function. In the example shown, the formula in D6 is...
To convert a string to an array that contains one item for each letter, you can use an array formula based on the MID, ROW, LEN and INDIRECT functions. This can sometimes be useful inside other formulas that manipulate...
To calculate work hours between two dates with a custom schedule, you can use a formula based on the WEEKDAY and SUMPRODUCT functions, with help from ROW, INDIRECT, and MID. In the example shown, the formula in F8 is...
To copy values or generate references with a pattern like every 3rd row, every 7th line, etc. you can use a formula based on the the OFFSET and ROW functions. In the example shown, the formula in D5 is:
=OFFSET($B$5,(...
To create an array of numbers like {1;2;3;4;5} you can use a formula based on the ROW and INDIRECT functions. This technique is most often used in array formulas that need a numeric array for processing of some kind. In...
To locate the position of a value in a 2D array, you can use the SUMPRODUCT function. In the example shown, the formulas used to locate the row and column numbers of the max value in the array are:
=SUMPRODUCT((data=...
To get the full address of a named range with an Excel formula, you can use the ADDRESS function together with the ROW and COLUMN functions. In the example shown, the formula in G5 is:
=ADDRESS(ROW(data),COLUMN(data),...
To get a full set of relative row numbers in a range, you can use an array formula based on the ROW function. In the example shown, the formula in B5:B11 is:
{=ROW(B5:B11)-ROW(B5)+1}
Note: this is an array formula...
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In this video, we'll look at how to use conditional formatting to shade every other row in a table. This is sometimes called "zebra striping".
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