COUNT vs COUNTA vs COUNTBLANK
Three counting functions, three different questions: how many numbers, how many non-empty cells, and how many blanks.
| COUNT | COUNTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Counts numbers | Yes | Yes |
| Counts text | No | Yes |
| Counts formulas returning "" | No | Yes |
| Counts empty cells | No | No (use COUNTBLANK) |
Side by side
COUNT
=COUNT(D2:D9) → 8
COUNTA
=COUNTA(C2:C9) → 8
Examples use this sample sheet of orders:
A
B
C
D
E
F
1
Order
Region
Rep
Units
Price
Revenue
2
1001
East
Maya
4
12
48
3
1002
West
Omar
2
30
60
4
1003
East
Lena
7
12
84
5
1004
North
Maya
1
45
45
6
1005
West
Lena
5
30
150
7
1006
East
Omar
3
18
54
8
1007
North
Lena
6
12
72
9
1008
West
Maya
8
18
144
Which should you use?
COUNT for “how many numbers”, COUNTA for “how many filled in”, COUNTBLANK for “how many missing”.