Function Column()

Column()

This function is used to determine the column number of a given reference (the cell referred to in the function).


Syntax:

= Column (Reference_cell)
Reference_cell: This is the cell for which the column number is to be determined


Examples:

The function simply returns the column number for the cell which is passed on as reference with the function. For example:

• Column($A$3) - result will be: 1 {as column A is the first column}
• Column($C$35) - result will be: 3
• Column($AA$3) - result will be: 27
• Column($BB$3) - result will be: 54

You can also use this function to determine the column in which the function itself lies. For example, If this function is written in cell $F$5, then the function should return this cell's column number. For this the function can be simply written without the Reference_cell. It will be:

=Column()

...and the function will return the column number of the cell in which it is contained.


Application:

Though this function is very simple to use, but is a very useful functions. This functions is mostly applied with other advanced lookup functions, such as vlookup(), hlookup(), address(), etc. Take a look at this query which I received from one of the readers of the Excel Matic. I have made use of this function. (Note that the example uses a few functions which are not yet described on Excel Matic, but will soon be).

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