Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Determining Columns in a Range.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 27, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
One of the handy worksheet functions provided by Excel allows you to determine the number of columns in a range. This is accomplished through the use of the COLUMNS function. For instance, consider the following formula:
=COLUMNS(B2:D15)
The value returned is 3, since the range includes columns B, C, and D. You are not limited to address ranges (such as B2:D15); you can also use named ranges with the COLUMNS function.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10206) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Determining Columns in a Range.
Dive Deep into Macros! Make Excel do things you thought were impossible, discover techniques you won't find anywhere else, and create powerful automated reports. Bill Jelen and Tracy Syrstad help you instantly visualize information to make it actionable. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, real-world case studies, and 50 workbooks packed with examples and solutions. Check out Microsoft Excel 2019 VBA and Macros today!
When performing a statistical analysis on a large dataset, you may want to use GEOMEAN to figure out the geometric mean ...
Discover MoreYou may use Excel's trigonometric functions to do some quick calculations, and suddenly notice that the results in your ...
Discover MoreYou can use the IF worksheet function to test for a number of different conditions or values. You can't use it to check ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2020-06-29 10:43:52
Ken C
Wow! I just realized that the COLUMNS function can be used in a VLOOKUP so that you don't have to count columns. For example:
=VLOOKUP($A2,Sheet2!$A$2:$E$9999,(COLUMNS(A:E)),FALSE)
Could be handy when you have a lot of columns.
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
Comments