From 261924396d1d5f71d1a55490fc56f33b8a242c03 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tom Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:40:10 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/5] Edited Column Documentation --- .../functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md | 17 +++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md index c5f6fab..768dcee 100644 --- a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md +++ b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md @@ -11,21 +11,26 @@ The COLUMN Function in IronCalc is a lookup & reference formula that is used to ### Syntax **COLUMN(reference) => column** ### 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, or range 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. * You are also able to reference complete columns instead of individual cells. +* 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. +* An error will be returned if the referenced cell or column 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.

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.

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.

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.

**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(Referenced Cell)**. This will then output the column number of the referenced cell, regardless of where the formula is placed in the sheet.

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.

**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.

For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the ouput of "1". -## Links \ No newline at end of file +## 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. \ No newline at end of file From bdd0af0a3951b5b0559cb8559df2d22d30349299 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tom Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:27:38 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/5] FIX: Fix mispelled word (Thanks Copilot) --- docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md index 768dcee..02be889 100644 --- a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md +++ b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md @@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ When no cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN()**. This will output ### 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.

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.

**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.

For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the ouput of "1". +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.

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. \ No newline at end of file From 25f78913435dcd2d9fa84c16e33647bd4811b6e1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tom Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:36:58 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 3/5] FIX: added missing comma (Thanks copilot!) --- docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md index 02be889..f2095d2 100644 --- a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md +++ b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md @@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ The COLUMN Function can only be used to display the correlating number of a sing ### No Cell Reference When no cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN()**. This will output the column number of the cell where the formula is entered.

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.

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.

**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". +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.

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.

**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.

For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the output of "1". ## Links From dbd1b2df60fefc6d50886b0e8a4c9a7ac3f42838 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tom Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:49:32 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 4/5] FIX: Edits after Elsa's review and further tests --- .../src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md | 16 +++++++++------- 1 file changed, 9 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md index f2095d2..4202f3f 100644 --- a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md +++ b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md @@ -6,22 +6,24 @@ lang: en-US # 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(reference) => column** ### Argument descriptions -* *reference* ([cell](/features/value-types#references), [optional](/features/optional-arguments.md)). The cell, column, or range for which you wish to find the column number. +* *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. 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. -* An error will be returned if the referenced cell or column is deleted. +* A [#NAME?](/features/error-types.html#name) error is returned if a Naming 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](/functions/lookup_and_reference/columns) Function. ## Examples @@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ When no cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN()**. This will output ### 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.

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.

**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.

For example, **=COLUMN(A1:J1)** will result in the output of "1". +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.

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. \ No newline at end of file +* 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 CCOLUMN function. \ No newline at end of file From bed6f007cdd24c50a6782da2d83a341cc314a541 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tom Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:26:28 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 5/5] FIX: Typos adjusted. Thanks Elsa! --- docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md index 4202f3f..29c1437 100644 --- a/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md +++ b/docs/src/functions/lookup_and_reference/column.md @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ The COLUMN Function in IronCalc is a lookup & reference formula that is used to ### Returned value 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 -* A [#NAME?](/features/error-types.html#name) error is returned if a Naming Range being referenced is deleted. +* 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 @@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ When a cell reference is made, the formula uses **=COLUMN(