Math and statistics

COUNTA function playground

Counts cells that are not empty: numbers, text, dates, logical values and errors.

The playground runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

How COUNTA works

COUNTA counts every cell that has anything in it. "pending", "n/a", numbers and dates all count; only truly empty cells are skipped.

A formula that returns an empty string ("") still counts as not empty, because the cell holds a formula.

=COUNTA(value1, [value2], ...)

Argument	What it means
`value1`required	The first cell, range or value to check.
`value2, ...`optional	More cells, ranges or values.

Formula	What it does	Result
`=COUNTA(B2:B9)`	Orders that have a customer name.	7
`=COUNTA(D2:D9)`	Amount cells with anything in them, including "pending".	7
`=COUNTA(A2:A9)-COUNTA(B2:B9)`	Orders with no customer name.	1
`=COUNTA(A1:D1)`	How many column headings there are.	4

Cells that look emptyA cell with a space in it looks blank but COUNTA counts it. Use TRIM or clear the cell.

COUNT vs COUNTACOUNT counts numbers only; COUNTA counts everything that isn't empty.

The workbook has the same sample data and formulas, plus a practice sheet.