Google Sheets: COUNTIF Not Blank
When working with large datasets in Google Sheets, you might want to count how many cells contain data while ignoring blank ones.
This is where the
COUNTIF
function becomes incredibly useful. It allows you to count only the non-empty cells within a specific range. Whether you're tracking completed tasks, entries in a survey, or filled fields in a form, this function helps you summarize your data efficiently.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps to count cells that are not blank in Google Sheets using the
COUNTIF
function.Step-by-Step: How to Count If Not Blank in Google Sheets
Step 1: Open Your Spreadsheet
Make sure you have a dataset in your Google Sheet with some blank and some filled cells.

Step 2: Select the Cell for Output
Click on the cell where you want the count of non-blank cells to appear.

Step 3: Use the COUNTIF Formula
Enter the following formula:
This counts all the non-blank cells in the range A1 to A10. The
"<>"
condition means “not equal to blank”.
Step 4: Press Enter
Once you hit Enter, Google Sheets will calculate and display the number of non-empty cells in that range.

Step 5 (Optional): Adjust Range
You can modify
A1:A10
to any range you want, including entire columns like A:A
.Tired of spending hours cleaning data or writing complex formulas? Here’s a smarter solution: SheetAI.app
Whether you're managing sales reports, crafting marketing content, or analyzing feedback, working in spreadsheets can be time-consuming and repetitive. But what if you could automate these tasks and enhance your productivity directly within Google Sheets? That's exactly what SheetAI offers.

SheetAI is an AI-powered add-on for Google Sheets that brings advanced capabilities right into your spreadsheet. Simply describe what you want in plain English, and SheetAI will execute tasks such as generating formulas, cleaning data, summarizing text, and even creating images. (SheetAI Documentation - AI-Powered Functions for Google Sheets)
Here’s what you’ll love about SheetAI:
- Natural Language Commands: Use plain English to perform complex tasks.
- AI-Powered Functions: Leverage functions like
=SHEETAI()
and=SHEETAI_RANGE()
for dynamic content generation.
- Data Cleaning & Analysis: Automate data sanitization, summarization, and categorization.
- Content Generation: Create blog ideas, product descriptions, and personalized messages effortlessly.
- Image Creation: Generate images directly within your spreadsheet using
=SHEETAI_IMAGE()
.
- Formula Generation: Convert textual descriptions into accurate Google Sheets formulas.
- Integration with AI Models: Supports GPT-3, GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini for versatile AI capabilities.
Perfect for marketers, analysts, educators, and anyone looking to enhance their spreadsheet workflows.
Ready to revolutionize your Google Sheets experience? Install SheetAI now and start automating your tasks with AI!
Conclusion
The
COUNTIF
function in Google Sheets is a simple yet powerful way to count non-blank cells. Whether you're managing data entry or analyzing form responses, it helps keep your information organized and accurate.
With just one formula, you can track progress, monitor completeness, and make data-driven decisions faster and more effectively.
FAQs are here to help!
What does "<>"
mean in the COUNTIF function?
It means "not equal to blank." So, it counts cells that contain any value.
Will it count cells with spaces?
Yes, cells with spaces are technically not blank and will be counted.
Can I apply this to multiple columns?
Yes, just expand the range like
A1:C10
to include multiple columns.Is there a way to ignore formulas returning empty strings?
Use this formula instead: