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
Use the ROW function to get the row number for a cell reference or a range. For example:
Note the ROW function returns a number for the row in a worksheet. If you need to find a row number based on a lookup or match, see the MATCH function.
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 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 get the address of the first cell in a named range, you can use the ADDRESS function together with ROW and COLUMN functions.
In the example shown, the formula in G6 is:
=ADDRESS(ROW(data)+ROWS(data)-1,COLUMN(data...
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 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 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$5,(...
If you need to dynamically increment a calculation, so that a value automatically increments each time the formula is copied to a new row or column, you can use the ROW() or COLUMN() functions in your formula.
In the...
To create an array of numbers like {1;2;3;4;5} you can use a formula based on the ROW and INDIRECT functions. This technique is most often used in array formulas that need a numeric array for processing of some kind. In...
To get the position of the last match (i.e. last occurrence) of a lookup value, you can use an array formula based on the IF, ROW, INDEX, MATCH, and MAX functions. In the example shown, the formula in H6 is:
{=MAX(IF(...
If you need to count unique text values in a range, you can use a formula that uses several functions: FREQUENCY , MATCH, ROW and SUMPRODUCT.
It's also possible to use COUNTIF, as explained below.
Assume you have a...
To extract multiple matches to separate cells, in separate columns, you can use an array formula based on INDEX and SMALL. In the example shown, the formula in F5 is:
{=IFERROR(INDEX(names,SMALL(IF(groups=$E5,ROW(...
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=...
If you need to reverse a list (i.e. put the items in a list or column in reverse order) you can do so using the INDEX function with some help from the COUNTA and ROW functions.
In the example shown, the formula is:
=...
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 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 list worksheets in an Excel workbook, you can use a 2-step approach: (1) define a named range called "sheetnames" with an old macro command and (2) use an INDEX formula to retrieve sheet names using the named range....
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