If you always use Excel in your daily job or student life, then you may need to create a column in Excel that only has headings with excel column function. Or maybe you need to create a column with specific information. But these info comes from another sheet or range of cells. Ok now we can look at how to use the Column Function in Excel to do just that! Stay tuned!
Table of Contents
What is the Column Function in Excel?
The Column function in Excel is a great way to create a column of data. If this data is about another sheet or range of cells. If you wanna use the Column function, you can select the cell where you want the column to start. After that, you can enter the following formula: =Column(A1:A5)
This will create a column of data that starts in cell A1 and goes to cell A5. You can also use the Column function to create a column of headings. If you need to apply this, you enter the following formula: =Column(A1:A5,”Headings”)
excel column function meaning
For reference, the column number is returned by the Excel COLUMN function. For instance, since C is the spreadsheet’s third column, COLUMN(C5) yields 3. COLUMN returns the column number of the cell containing the formula in the absence of a reference.
How to use it?
The reference’s column number is returned by the COLUMN function. For instance, since C is the spreadsheet’s third column, COLUMN(C5) yields 3. Reference is the only parameter that COLUMN accepts. However, it may be a range, a cell reference, or empty. COLUMN returns the column number of the cell containing the formula in the absence of a reference.
excel column function Steps
This will create a column of headings that start in cell A1 and go to cell A5. You can also use the Column function to create a column of specific information. For that, you should write and enter the following formula: =Column(A1:A5,”Specific Information”)
how to use column function in excel
In case you need to create a column of specific information and that starts in cell A1 and goes to cell A5, you can use the following steps.
- You should select the cell as starting point.
- Then, you write down your data into the cell.
- Now, you can drag the fill handle down to the last cell where you want the data to appear.
If you need a column of data, but it has data from another sheet or range of cells, you can follow these steps.
- Firstly, you will choose starting cell where you want the column to begin.
- You can enter the formula “=Column(Sheet2!A1:A5)”.
- And you will just hit Enter.
This will create a data column starting in cell A1 on Sheet2 and it will be going to cell A5 on Sheet2.
In case you should create a column of headings but data is written in another sheet or range of cells, you will look at these steps:
- You can go and find the cell for starting point.
- Now, you will enter the formula “=Column(Sheet2!A1:A5,”Headings”)”.
- And only you press Enter.
This will create a column of headings starting in cell A1 on Sheet2. And it will go to cell A5 on Sheet2.
If you wish to create a column with info coming from another sheet or range of cells you need to follow these steps:
- You will select the cell as starting point.
- Now it is time to enter the formula “=Column(Sheet2!A1:A5,”Specific Information”)”.
- And again, all you need is pressin enter key.
So you will get a column of specific information. And it wil start in cell A1 on Sheet2 and goes to cell A5 on Sheet2.
When to Use the COLUMN Function: Benefits of Using the Column Function
The Column function in Excel can quickly reference, manipulate and visualize data within an Excel. By using the Column function, users can save time and effort when working with large data sets. Or when trying to isolate specific information from other sheets.
The Column function can also help to perform mathematical operations on data within a column. Such as summing or averaging and to create interactive charts and graphs based on data within a column. Overall, the Column function is a good tool to enhance data analysis and management in Excel.
Examples for Column Formula
The OFFSET function may be used to create a formula that will add up “the next 3” cells each time it is duplicated. The formula in O5 in the given case is:
=SUM(OFFSET($B5,0,(COLUMN()-COLUMN($O$5))*3, 1,3))
Note: at the expense of a more detailed formula, the goal of this formula is to do away with the need to manually input ranges using a single global formula.
- The column function can be combined with other functions. Here, for instance, we are applying this function with the lookup function.
Let’s say we have employee data with columns for ID, name and pay. Here we must use the ID to determine the name. The VLOOKUP function can be in conjunction with this function as seen below.
=VLOOKUP(B11,$B$11:$D$15,COLUMN(C11),0)
Conclusion on COLUMN Formula
We hope this blog post has helped you understand how to use the Column function in Excel. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Columns can organize and emphasize content on a web page. They can also help break up large blocks of text. So it will be easier to read. Using columns in your web design can make your site more visually better looking and easy to follow. Have you tried using columns on your website? What tips do you have for creating an effective column layout?
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