Excel COUNTA Function - Easy Excel Tutorial

In Excel COUNTA Function counts the number of cells that contain numbers, text, logical values, error values, and empty text ("“) and counts numbers within the list of arguments. Arguments can be individual items, cell references, or ranges up to a total of 255 arguments. 

The COUNTA function counts the number of cells that are not empty in a range. Values can be supplied as constants, cell references, or ranges.

Purpose

This function counts the number of numeric or text entries in a list. It will ignore blanks.

Return value

Count of numeric values

Syntax

= COUNTA (Range1, Range2, Range3... through to Range30)

Arguments

value1 - An item, cell reference, or range.

value2 - An item, cell reference, or range.

Value3 - [optional] An item, cell reference, or range.

Notes: To count numeric values only, use the COUNT function.

Example

The following table was used by a school to keep track of the examinations taken by each pupil.

Each exam passed was graded as 1, 2 or 3.

A failure was entered as Fail.

The school needed to know how many pupils sat each exam.

The school also needed to know how many exams were taken by each pupil.

The =COUNTA() function has been used because of its ability to count text and numeric entries.