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Merge pull request #581 from blueboy93/column-documentation

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Edited Column Documentation
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Daniel González-Albo
2025-11-27 23:44:18 +01:00
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docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md
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# COLUMN function
## Overview
The COLUMN Function in IronCalc is a lookup & reference formula that is used to query and return the column number of a referenced Column or Cell.
The COLUMN Function in IronCalc is a lookup & reference formula that is used to query and return the column number of a referenced column or cell.
## Usage
### Syntax
**COLUMN(<span title="Reference" style="color:#1E88E5">reference</span>) => <span title="Number" style="color:#1E88E5">column</span>**
### Argument descriptions
* *reference* ([cell](/features/value-types#references), [optional](/features/optional-arguments.md)). The number of the cell you wish to reference the column number of.
* *reference* ([cell](/features/value-types#references), [optional](/features/optional-arguments.md)). The cell, column, range, or [Named Range](/web-application/name-manager.html) for which you wish to find the column number.
### Additional guidance
* When referencing a range of cells, only the column number of the left most cell will be returned.
* When referencing a range of cells, only the column number of the leftmost cell will be returned.
* You are also able to reference complete columns instead of individual cells.
* When using a Named Range as a reference, the reference is not case sensitive.
* IronCalc supports the use of both *Absolute* ($A$1) and *Relative* (A1) references.
* Cross-sheet references are also supported.
### Returned value
COLUMN returns the [number](/features/value-types#numbers) of the specific cell or column which is being referenced.
COLUMN returns the [number](/features/value-types#numbers) of the specific cell or column which is being referenced. If no reference is included, the column number of the cell where the formula is entered will be returned.
### Error conditions
* IronCalc currently does not support the referencing of cells with names.
* A [#NAME?](/features/error-types.html#name) error is returned if a Named Range being referenced is deleted.
* A [#REF!](/features/error-types.html#ref) error is returned if a cell being referenced is deleted.
* A [#VALUE!](/features/error-types.html#value) error is returned if a column being referenced is deleted.
## Details
The COLUMN Function can only be used to display the correlating number of a single column within a Sheet. If you wish to show the number of columns used within a specific range, you can use the COLUMNS Function.
The COLUMN Function can only be used to display the correlating number of a single column within a Sheet. If you wish to show the number of columns used within a specific range, you can use the [COLUMNS](/functions/lookup_and_reference/columns) Function.
## Examples
### No Cell Reference
When no cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN()**. This will then output the column number of the cell where the formula is placed.<br><br>For example, if the formula is placed in cell A1, then "1" will be displayed.
When no cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN()**. This will output the column number of the cell where the formula is entered.<br><br>For example, if the formula is placed in cell A1, then "1" will be displayed.
### With Cell Reference
When a cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN([Referenced Cell])**. This will then output the column number of the referenced cell, regardless of where the formula is placed in the sheet.<br><br>For example, if the cell B1 is the referenced cell, "2" will be the output of the formula no matter where it is placed in the sheet.<br><br>**Note:** references do not always have to be specific cells, you can also reference complete columns. For example, **=COLUMN(B:B)** would also result in an output of "2".
When a cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN(<span title="Reference" style="color:#1E88E5">Referenced Cell</span>)**. This will then output the column number of the referenced cell, regardless of where the formula is placed in the sheet.<br><br>For example, if B1 is the referenced cell, then "2" will be the output of the formula, regardless of where the formula is placed in the sheet.<br><br>**Note:** references do not have to be specific cells, you can also reference complete columns. For example, **=COLUMN(B:B)** would also result in an output of "2".
### Range References
The COLUMN function can also be used to reference a range of Cells or Columns. In this case only the most left-hand column will be the resulting output.<br><br>For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the ouput of "1".
## Links
The COLUMN function can also be used to reference a range of cells or columns. In this case only the leftmost column will be the resulting output.<br><br>For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the output of "1".
## Links
* Visit Microsoft Excel's [Column function](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/column-function-44e8c754-711c-4df3-9da4-47a55042554b) page.
* Both [Google Sheets](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/3093373) and [LibreOffice Calc](https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/Calc_Functions/COLUMN) provide versions of the COLUMN function.