COLUMN

Returns the column number of the given reference.

Syntax

COLUMN(reference)

Reference   is the cell or range of cells for which you want the column number.

• If reference is omitted, it is assumed to be the reference of the cell in which the COLUMN function appears.
• If reference is a range of cells, and if COLUMN is entered as a horizontal array, COLUMN returns the column numbers of reference as a horizontal array.
• Reference cannot refer to multiple areas.

Examples

COLUMN(A3) equals 1

When entered as an array in any three horizontally contiguous cells:

COLUMN(A3:C5) equals {1,2,3}

If COLUMN is entered in C5, then:

COLUMN() equals COLUMN(C5) equals 3