Excel Tips 🍯 | Mastering ROW Function for Auto Numbering + Advanced Tricks! 🔢

 

Hey everyone 🙋‍♀️
Today, let’s talk about a function that seems simple,
but once you know it, it becomes a real game-changer —
the ROW function! 😎

Personally, whenever I need to do numbering like 1, 2, 3, 4...
I don’t type it manually or use =A1+1.
I always go with ROW() because it's neat, automatic, and super flexible 🙌

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✅ What is ROW?

The ROW function is really straightforward:

👉 It returns the row number of a cell — either where the formula is entered, or a specified cell.

Basic usage:

 

=ROW()

→ Returns the row number of the current cell.

 

=ROW(A5)

→ Returns 5 — since A5 is in the 5th row.

 

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Example 1: Simple auto-numbering 🔢

Column A (No.)

=ROW()

=ROW()

=ROW()

...

 

If you fill =ROW() from A1 to A10:
👉 You get 1, 2, 3, 4... all the way down automatically.

So easy, and perfect for quick numbering! 😄

 

 

 

 

 

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Example 2: Start numbering from a specific row 🎯

Let’s say your table starts in row 3,
but you still want your numbering to begin at 1.

 

=ROW() - 2

• A3 → ROW() = 3 → 3 - 2 = 1
• A4 → 4 - 2 = 2
• A5 → 5 - 2 = 3 …

👉 You can shift the numbering to fit any starting row!

Perfect for skipping headers or extra rows at the top 👍

 

 

 

 

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Example 3: Get the row number of a specific cell

 

=ROW(A6)

👉 Result: 6
This gets the row number of A6, even if the formula is written somewhere else.

※ Reminder: =ROW() refers to the current cell,
while =ROW(Ax) gets the row number of a specified cell.

 

 

 

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Example 4: Generate cell addresses like “A6” using ROW + COLUMN + CHAR 🔡

Sometimes you need to build cell addresses as text, like A6, B7, C8, etc.
Here's how to generate that dynamically:

 

=CHAR(64 + COLUMN()) & ROW()

🔍 Explanation:

• COLUMN() returns the column number (A=1, B=2, etc.)
• CHAR(64 + COLUMN()) converts the number to a letter (65 = "A", 66 = "B", etc.)
• ROW() returns the current row number

So in cell B3:

• COLUMN() = 2 → CHAR(66) = "B"
• ROW() = 3
  👉 Result: "B3"

💡 You can use this in rows or columns:

Column A (Generated Address)

=CHAR(64+COLUMN())&ROW() → A1

Drag down → A2, A3, A4...

Drag right → B1, C1, D1...

 

Combine with INDIRECT() to dynamically reference cells!

 

 

 

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📌 When to use ROW?

✅ For auto-numbering
✅ With INDEX / MATCH / INDIRECT combos
✅ For calculating offsets in repeat formulas
✅ As part of array formulas or conditional formatting

👉 Simple, but super practical in real-world spreadsheets!

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✅ Final Recap

FormulaWhat it does

=ROW()	Returns the current row number
=ROW() - n	Adjusts starting point for numbers
=CHAR(64 + COLUMN()) & ROW()	Creates cell reference like "A6"

 

ROW is a small but mighty tool.
📌 From basic numbering to dynamic references and formulas — it plays a key role in Excel automation! 💪

Next time, I’ll show you tricks using COLUMN, MOD, SEQUENCE, and more.
Stay tuned, and happy Excel-ing! 💻💚