ROW Function

The Excel ROW function returns the row number of a cell. On its own it’s simple, but it’s a useful building block for serial numbers and position-based formulas.

Basic example

With no argument, ROW returns its own row. With a reference, it returns that cell’s row:

=ROW() in C3 returns 3, and =ROW(C10) returns 10. For a range, ROW returns the first row, 5. In Excel 365 it spills all the row numbers.

Serial numbers that follow the row

The list starts in row 3, so subtract 2 to start counting at 1:

The numbers run 1 to 5. Delete a row and the numbers below close the gap automatically, unlike typed numbers.

Position within a list

When a list starts lower down, subtract the row of the first item instead of a fixed number. The formula keeps working if rows are inserted above the list:

Pencil is in row 5, the same as the first item, so its position is 1.

ROW and its relatives

Notes

• ROW returns a number, not a letter or address.
• With a multi-row range, ROW returns the first row in older Excel and spills every row number in Excel 365.
• In Excel 365, =SEQUENCE(COUNTA(C3:C100)) is another way to create serial numbers.
• ROW is often used inside MOD for patterns, such as =MOD(ROW(),2)=0 to shade every other row.

Common errors

Related