Google Sheets Count if not blank

Sanskar Tiwari

Author: Sanskar Tiwari

Founder at MagicSlides

Published

Count non-empty cells in Google Sheets easily using the COUNTIF function to simplify data analysis.

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.
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Step 2: Select the Cell for Output

Click on the cell where you want the count of non-blank cells to appear.
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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”.
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Step 4: Press Enter

Once you hit Enter, Google Sheets will calculate and display the number of non-empty cells in that range.
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Step 5 (Optional): Adjust Range

You can modify A1:A10 to any range you want, including entire columns like A:A.

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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:

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