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Count table columns

Excel formula: Count table columns
Generic formula 
COLUMNS(table)
Summary 

To count columns in an Excel table, you can use the COLUMNS function. In the example shown, the formula in I4 is:

=COLUMNS(Table1)
Explanation 

This formula uses structured referencing, a syntax that allows table parts to be referred to by name. When a table is referred to by the name only, Excel returns a reference to the data region of the table only. In this case, the entire table range is B4:F104 so Table1 returns the range B5:F105 to the COLUMNS function.

=COLUMNS(Table1)
=COLUMNS(B5:F105)

COLUMNS then returns a final result of 5, since there are 5 columns in the table.

Author 
Dave Bruns
Related formulas 
Excel formula: Count table rows
Count table rows
This formula uses structured referencing , a syntax that allows table parts to be called out by name. When a table is called with the name only, Excel returns a reference to the data region of the table only. In this case, the entire table range is...
Related functions 
Excel COLUMNS function
Excel COLUMNS Function

The Excel COLUMNS function returns the count of columns in a given reference. For example, COLUMNS(A1:C3) returns 3, since the range A1:C3 contains 3 columns.

See also 
Excel Tables
Related courses 
Excel Tables

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