What you will build
Compare COUNT and COUNTA on Qty values 2, blank, 0 and 5.
Learning objective
Enter the formula in a blank output area, understand every argument, compare the result with the visible source data and diagnose range or criterion mistakes.
Open the practice workbook
Use the sample below and keep the full source table visible while checking the result.
Practice in your own copy
Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.
Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.
Open the sample workbook in Google Drive (access required) ↗
Hands-on practice
Step 1: Enter =COUNT(B2:B5) in H2 and =COUNTA(B2:B5) in H3.
=COUNT(B2:B5)=COUNTA(B2:B5)Step 2: Compare H2 and H3 with B2:B5. COUNT returns 3 because 2, 0 and 5 are numeric; COUNTA also returns 3 because only those three cells are non-empty.
Checkpoint
| Formula | Verified result |
|---|---|
| =COUNT(B2:B5) | 3 |
| =COUNTA(B2:B5) | 3 |
The original sample gives COUNT = 3 and COUNTA = 3.
Common mistakes and fixes
If the value differs, recheck the exact source range, argument order, criterion spelling and output cell.
Independent practice
Change one relevant input deliberately, predict the new result first, verify it in Sheets, then restore the original sample.
Key takeaways
- ✓COUNT counts numeric cells only; in B2:B5 it counts 2, 0 and 5.
- ✓COUNTA counts non-empty cells; after B3 is truly blank, it counts B2, B4 and B5.
- ✓Zero is numeric and is counted by both COUNT and COUNTA.
- ✓A visually blank cell may still contain hidden content, so clear it if COUNTA is unexpectedly high.
- ✓For this sample, both formulas return 3.
Check your understanding
Answer four questions about the practice sheet.
Continue learning
Next lesson: COUNTIF function.