The Excel AREAS function returns the number of areas in a given reference. For example, =AREAS((A1:C1,A2:C2)) returns 2. Multiple references must be enclosed in an extra set of parentheses.
Syntax:= AREAS (reference)
The AREAS function syntax has the following arguments:
- Reference Required. A reference to a cell or range of cells and can refer to multiple areas. If you want to specify several references as a single argument, then you must include extra sets of parentheses so that Microsoft Excel will not interpret the comma as a field separator. See the following example.
Example: Let’s look at some Excel AREAS function examples and explore how to use the AREAS function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:
Syntax: =AREAS(A3:A4)
Result:
Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following AREAS examples would return:
Syntax: =AREAS((A4:A6,B6:C8,D6))
Result: 3
Syntax: =AREAS(B2:B8)
Result: 1
Syntax: =AREAS((B2:C7,D2:D7))
Result: 2
Syntax: =AREAS((A7,B7,C4,D6))
Result: 4
Syntax: =AREAS((A5:A6,B8:B9,C9:D9,C10:C10,C5:C6))
Result: 5
Syntax: =AREAS(A9:D9)
Result: 1
Syntax: =AREAS((A4:A6,A10:B10,A11:B12,A13:B15,A16:B17,C15))
Result: 6
Note:
- We can either type the entire formula or, after typing “=AREAS(“ into a cell, we can use the CTRL + A, without leaving the cell, to open the “Insert Function Dialog Box” for detailed commands.
- A #NULL! error will be returned when the reference given is in an incorrect format. For example, AREAS(A2 B4) instead of AREAS(A2:A4).
