Formula Guide

The Excel COLUMN Function
explained simply

COLUMN returns the column number of a reference — the horizontal counterpart to ROW.

ExcelPro · 3 min read · Updated June 2026
Contents
  1. What does COLUMN do?
  2. Syntax
  3. 3 examples
  4. FAQ

What does COLUMN do?

COLUMN returns the column number of a given reference, where A=1, B=2, C=3 and so on. With no argument, it returns the column number of the cell containing the formula.

Commonly used inside formulas that need to know their own horizontal position — for example, alternating calculations across copied-right formulas.

Syntax

=COLUMN([reference])
ArgumentDescription
reference optionalA cell or range. If omitted, returns the column number of the cell containing the formula.

Examples

Example 1
Column number of the current cell
=COLUMN()

If the formula sits in column D, this returns 4.

Example 2
Column number of a specific cell
=COLUMN(F1)

Returns 6, regardless of where the formula itself is located.

Example 3
Alternate logic when copied across
=IF(MOD(COLUMN(),2)=0,"Even col","Odd col")

Returns a different result depending on whether the formula currently sits in an even or odd numbered column.

Common mistakes

⚠️ Confusing COLUMN with COLUMNS

COLUMN returns a single column number. COLUMNS (plural) counts how many columns are in a range.

FAQ

Why would I need a column number instead of just referencing the cell?
When building formulas that should behave differently depending on horizontal position — common in template-style spreadsheets copied across many columns.

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Related formulas

ROW INDIRECT