Excel’s column lettering system can sometimes make it tricky to determine the exact numeric position of a column. Whether you’re working with large datasets or need to reference specific columns in formulas, knowing how to find column numbers can be incredibly useful. This article explores three straightforward methods to identify column numbers in Excel.
Method 1: Use the COLUMN Function
The COLUMN function is the quickest and most versatile way to find a column number in Excel:
Step 1: Select the cell in the column you want to identify.
Step 2: Type =COLUMN() into the cell and press Enter.
The function will return the number of the current column. For example, if you use this function in column C, it will return 3.
You can also reference other cells or columns:
=COLUMN(A1) ' Returns 1
=COLUMN($ZZ$1) ' Returns 702
This method is particularly useful when you need to dynamically reference column numbers in formulas or macros.
Method 2: Enable R1C1 Reference Style
Excel’s R1C1 reference style replaces column letters with numbers:
Step 1: Click the File tab and select Options.
Step 2: In the Excel Options window, select Formulas.
Step 3: Under Working with formulas, check the box next to “R1C1 reference style”.
Step 4: Click OK to apply the changes.
Your column headers will now display numbers instead of letters. While this makes identifying column numbers easier, be aware that it changes how cell references appear in formulas, which can be confusing if you’re not used to it.
To revert to the standard A1 reference style, simply uncheck the R1C1 option in Excel’s settings.
Method 3: Use the ADDRESS Function
The ADDRESS function can convert column letters to numbers:
Step 1: In any cell, enter the following formula:
=COLUMN(ADDRESS(1,MATCH("ZZ",1:1,0)))
Step 2: Replace “ZZ” with the column letter you want to convert.
This formula uses MATCH to find the specified column letter in the first row, then ADDRESS to create a cell reference, and finally COLUMN to extract the column number.
For example, to find the number for column AC:
=COLUMN(ADDRESS(1,MATCH("AC",1:1,0)))
This would return 29, as AC is the 29th column.
Bonus Tip: Create a Custom Function
For frequent column number lookups, you can create a custom VBA function:
Step 1: Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
Step 2: Insert a new module (Insert > Module).
Step 3: Paste this code:
Function GetColumnNumber(colLetter As String) As Long
GetColumnNumber = Range(colLetter & "1").Column
End Function
Step 4: Save and close the VBA editor.
Now you can use =GetColumnNumber("AC") in any cell to quickly find a column number.
Knowing how to find column numbers in Excel can significantly streamline your workflow, especially when dealing with large spreadsheets or complex formulas. While the COLUMN function is often the most convenient method, having multiple techniques at your disposal ensures you can handle any situation efficiently.