The COLUMN function is to return the column number of a reference.
Formula:
= COLUMN ([reference])
Explanation:
Reference is optional. The column number of the cell or range of cells you are looking for.
- When reference is omitted, it returns the columns number of the current cell;
- When reference is a range of data, it returns to the number of the leftmost column.
=COLUMN() returns 5 which is the column number of E2.
=COLUMN(A3) returns 1 which is the column number of A3.
=COLUMN(A4:B6) returns 1 which is the column number of the leftmost cell of data range of A4:B6.