Excel COUNTBLANK Function

COUNTBLANK returns how many cells in a range are empty.

Use it to measure missing responses, incomplete records, or unused spaces in a worksheet range.

1
Select a range The cells to check for blanks
2
Count empty cells Excel returns the number of blanks

COUNTBLANK syntax & arguments

Syntax

=COUNTBLANK(range)
Required Optional
  1. 1

    range

    Required

    The cells to check for blanks. Cells that are empty or contain formulas that return empty text are counted.

Example

=COUNTBLANK(C2:C20)

Count how many cells in C2:C20 are blank.

COUNTBLANK caveats

  • Empty-text formulas count as blank

    A cell containing a formula that returns "" is included even though the cell contains a formula.

  • Zero is not blank

    A cell containing 0 has a value, so COUNTBLANK does not include it.

  • Spaces are content

    A space or another invisible character makes a cell non-empty, even when the cell looks blank on the sheet.

  • Separate ranges need separate counts

    COUNTBLANK accepts one range. Add multiple COUNTBLANK results when the cells to check are in separate ranges.

Need to count completed entries instead? Use COUNTA when any non-empty value should count.

Intro COUNTBLANK practice problem

Solve the intro problem directly here, or open it on its own page.

Open full problem

Intro Missing Responses Pro problem

COUNTBLANK
Intro ☆☆☆
Pending

Advanced COUNTBLANK practice problems

Use COUNTBLANK alongside other Excel functions in realistic, less-prescriptive challenges.

No advanced COUNTBLANK problems are currently available.