COUNTBLANK Formula Generator (2026) — Count Empty Cells | Free Excel & Sheets
Counts the number of empty cells in a specified range.
Common Errors & Fixes
COUNTBLANK counts wrong number of blanks
Causes:- Cells with formulas returning "" are counted as blank.
- Cells with spaces or non-printing characters appear blank but are not counted.
- Merged cells may cause unexpected counting behavior.
Fixes:- Use COUNTIF(range, "=") to count truly empty cells excluding empty-string formulas.
- Use TRIM to clean data before counting blanks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between COUNTBLANK and COUNTIF(range, "")?
COUNTBLANK counts both truly empty cells and cells with empty strings (""). COUNTIF(range, "") only counts cells that visually appear blank.
Does COUNTBLANK count cells with spaces?
No, a cell with a space (" ") is not blank. COUNTBLANK will not count it. Use TRIM to clean cells before counting if stray spaces are an issue.
COUNTBLANK vs COUNTA — what is the relationship?
For a given range, COUNTBLANK + COUNTA does not always equal the total cells because COUNTBLANK counts empty-string formulas while COUNTA counts formula outputs. Use ROWS(range)*COLUMNS(range) for the total cell count.
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