Over 2 million + professionals use CFI to learn accounting, financial analysis, modeling and more. Unlock the essentials of corporate finance with our free resources and get an exclusive sneak peek at the first module of each course.
Start Free
What is the COUNTBLANK Function?
The COUNTBLANK Function[1] is categorized under Excel STATISTICAL functions. COUNTBLANK will count the number of empty cells in a given range of cells.
In financial analysis, the function can be useful in highlighting or counting empty cells in a given range.
Formula
=COUNTBLANK(range)
Where:
Range specifies the range of cells in which we want to count blank cells.
For the COUNTBLANK function, remember that:
Any cells that contain text, numbers, errors, etc. are not counted by this function.
Formulas that return empty text (“”) are considered blank and will be counted. So, if a cell contains an empty text string or a formula that returns an empty text string, the cell is counted as blank by the COUNTBLANK function.
Cells that contain zero are considered not blank and will not be counted.
How to use the COUNTBLANK Function in Excel?
As a worksheet function, COUNTBLANK can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet. To understand the uses of the function, let us consider an example:
Worked Example of COUNTBLANK
If we wish to know the number of cells that are empty, we can use conditional formatting with this function.
Suppose we are given the data below:
Here, we can use the formula =COUNTBLANK(A2:D5) to count the empty rows:
We get the results below:
If we want, we can use conditional formatting to highlight rows with empty cells using the COUNTBLANK function. Select the desired range, and on the select conditional formatting and apply the COUNTBLANK() function. This will then highlight all the cells that are Blank on the desired range.
Thanks for reading CFI’s guide to important Excel functions! By taking the time to learn and master these functions, you’ll significantly speed up your financial modeling and analysis. To learn more, check out these additional CFI resources:
To master the art of Excel, check out CFI’s Excel Crash Course, which teaches you how to become an Excel power user. Learn the most important formulas, functions, and shortcuts to become confident in your financial analysis.
Launch CFI’s Excel Crash Course now to take your career to the next level and move up the ladder!
Take your learning and productivity to the next level with our Premium Templates.
Upgrading to a paid membership gives you access to our extensive collection of plug-and-play Templates designed to power your performance—as well as CFI's full course catalog and accredited Certification Programs.
Gain unlimited access to more than 250 productivity Templates, CFI's full course catalog and accredited Certification Programs, hundreds of resources, expert reviews and support, the chance to work with real-world finance and research tools, and more.