Syntax. ROW(reference)

Definition. This function returns the row number of a reference.

Arguments

Background. If you omit the reference argument, the function returns the row number corresponding to the cell containing the function.

If the reference is a cell range (name), you can use the function in array formulas. If the destination range includes fewer rows than the argument, the information in the missing cells is truncated. If the destination range is larger than the reference range, the excess cells display the #N/A error.

Examples. The following examples explain how to use the ROW() function.

Consecutive Numbers. If you want to create consecutive numbers starting at cell A15, enter the formula

=ROW()-ROW($A$15)+1 & "."

in A15 and copy the formula into the cells below it.

Consecutive Numbers in a Range. To create consecutive numbers in the first column of a named range, use the array formula

{=ROW(Range)-ROW(OFFSET(Range,0,0,1))+1 & "."}

This formula does not need the position of the range and doesn’t create a circular reference.