In Excel, we can use a huge number of formulas to calculate anything easily and properly. There are some common functions like SUM, AVERAGE, etc. COUNT and COUNTA functions are two of them. These functions look similar and do similar tasks. But there is a distinct difference between the COUNT and COUNTA function in Excel. So, in this article, I will show you the difference between these two functions. Additionally, I have added pictures with every step for your better understanding.
Introduction to COUNT & COUNTA Functions
Excel contains a wide range of specialized functions to carry out a wide range of specific calculations, and certain calculations are carried out by combining two or more parts. Excel’s COUNT and COUNTA functions must be used when discussing counting cells that have particular values. Although the syntax of each of these methods is relatively similar, their intended use in Excel is to count cells with various types of values.
The COUNT function returns the number of cells with numerical values and an argument with numerical values. To count numerical numbers, you can use cell ranges, cell references, values, or a combination of all four. It can manage 255 parameters in total.
The COUNTA function returns the number of cells that are not empty and includes text, numbers, logical values, logical values for errors, and formulas that return empty text strings (“”). You can combine the usage of all three—ranges, cell references, and values. Additionally, it supports up to 255 parameters.
How to Find the Differences Between COUNT and COUNTA Functions in Excel: 2 Suitable Examples
In this portion of this article, I will show you the difference between the COUNT and COUNTA functions in Excel. Here, I will consider a dataset about the Sales Report of ABC Agro. the dataset contains three columns, B, C, and D called Year, Product, and Sales respectively. The dataset ranges from B4 to D10. The dataset has six rows here. With this dataset, I will show you examples of differences between the COUNT and COUNTA functions.
1. Difference Between COUNT and COUNTA Functions in Excel When All Values Are Numeric
This is the first example of this article. Here I will consider a part of our considering dataset. I have deleted the Product column to make all values numeric. Moreover, I have deleted data in the C6 cell to see the difference between the COUNT and COUNTA functions. I have added two new cells to our dataset to show the results of the COUNT and COUNTA functions. Let’s follow the instruction step by step with the necessary illustrations.
Steps:
- First, select the C13 cell.
- Then, write down the following formula in the selected cell.
=COUNT(C5:C10)
- Meanwhile, after pressing enter, you will get the following result.
- After that, select the C14 cell.
- Then, copy the following formula in the selected cell.
=COUNTA(C5:C10)
- As a consequence of pressing enter, you will find the result.
- As a result, you can see that, for numerical numbers, the COUNT and COUNTA functions both return the same value.
2. Find Differences Between COUNT and COUNTA Functions in Excel If Some Values Are Not Numeric
This is the second example of this article. I will consider the whole dataset here as I am considering some values are not numeric. I have changed two values in C6 and C8 cells into No Sales. Let’s follow the procedure step by step.
Steps:
- Select the D12 cell first.
- Moreover, copy the following formula in the selected cell.
=COUNTA(D5:D10)- Then press Enter.
- As a consequence, you will find the following result.
- Then select the D13 cell and copy the following formula in that.
=COUNTA(D5:D10)
- As a result of pressing Enter, you will find the result just like the picture given below.
- Now, you will get a difference between the results of the COUNT and COUNTA The COUNT function counts only the cells with numerical values whereas the COUNTA function counts the cells with both numerical and non-numerical values.
Things to Remember
- The COUNT function counts the cells with numerical values only.
- The COUNTA function counts the cells with any kind of value.
Download Practice Workbook
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Conclusion
In this article, I have tried to explain the difference between COUNT & COUNTA function in Excel. I hope, you have learned something new from this article. Now, extend your skill by following the steps of these methods. I hope you have enjoyed the whole tutorial. If you have any queries, feel free to ask me in the comment section. Don’t forget to give us your feedback.
