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
To add sequential row numbers to a set of data with a formula, you can use the ROW function. In the example shown, the formula in B5 is:
=ROW()-4
How this formula works
When not given a reference, the ROW function...
To count the number of Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, etc. between two dates you can use an array formula that uses several functions: SUMPRODUCT, WEEKDAY, ROW, and INDIRECT.
In the example shown, the formula in cell E6 is...
To get the address of the first cell in a named range, 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))
How...
You can get the first row (i.e. the starting row number) in a range with a formula based on the ROW function.
In the example shown, the formula in cell F5 is:
=MIN(ROW(data))
where data is a named range for B5:D10...
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 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...
If you want to highlight every other row in a table (sometimes called zebra striping) with conditional formatting you can do so with a simple formula that uses either the ISEVEN or ISODD function. For example, if you...
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 get the position of the nth match (for example, the 2nd matching value, the 3rd matching value, etc.), you can use a formula based on the SMALL function. In the example shown, the formula in G5 is:
=SMALL(IF(list=...
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 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 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...
If you need to sum or add the bottom values in a range, you can do so with a formula that uses the SMALL function wrapped inside the SUMPRODUCT function. In the generic form of the formula (above), rng represents a...
To extract multiple matches to separate cells, in separate rows, you can use an array formula based on INDEX and SMALL. In the example shown, the formula in E5 is:
{=IFERROR(INDEX(names,SMALL(IF(groups=E$4,ROW(names)-...
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,...
Related videos
In this video, we look at how to use conditional formatting, with a formula, to shade every other row in a table. This is sometimes called "zebra striping", and it's a cool trick.
Because tables support structured references, you can learn a lot about a table with basic formulas. In this video, we run through about a dozen examples. It's a nice demo of how formulas and tables work together to save you time.
In this video, we'll look at how to use conditional formatting to shade alternating groups of rows. For example, you can use this approach to shade groups of 3 rows, groups of 4 rows, and so on. This can be a nice way to make certain tables easier to read.
Related functions
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