AREAS is a built-in function in WPS Spreadsheet that counts how many areas are included in a reference; this guide covers 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 3 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 3 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index |
About This Feature
Overview
AREAS is a built-in lookup and reference function in WPS Spreadsheet. It returns the number of areas in a reference. An area can be a single cell or a contiguous range of cells.
Core tasks include:
- Insert the AREAS function from the Insert Function dialog when you want guided entry.
- Type
=AREAS(...)directly in a cell or in the formula bar for faster formula input. - Open the function help entry to review syntax and parameter details before or during editing.
This function is useful when you need to check multi-area references, learn formula syntax, or confirm the structure of a reference before finalizing a worksheet formula.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device that can run WPS Office |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office |
| Network | No mandatory network connection is required for local formula entry; internet access is needed for online help or downloads |
| Other | WPS Office should be installed, and you should be able to open a WPS Spreadsheet file |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Post-installation check | Launch WPS Office, open a spreadsheet, and confirm that the Formula tab and formula bar are available |
Source: WPS download page
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | Provides entry points for the AREAS function through Insert Function, direct formula input, and help access inside the spreadsheet workflow. | Microsoft Excel officially documents AREAS(reference) and states that it returns the number of areas in a reference. | The official Google Sheets function list does not show an AREAS function. | Notion provides database formulas and formula syntax, but not a spreadsheet AREAS function. | Adobe Acrobat focuses on calculated form fields rather than spreadsheet functions such as AREAS. |
| Official Source | — | AREAS function | Google Sheets function list | Formula syntax & functions | Configure form field calculations in Acrobat |
Advantage: WPS keeps AREAS entry and help access inside a desktop spreadsheet workflow with familiar formula tools.
Overall Conclusion
WPS and Microsoft Excel both support an AREAS-style spreadsheet function for counting areas in a reference. Google Sheets, Notion, and Adobe document different formula or calculation models in their official materials, so WPS is a practical fit when you want to stay in a desktop spreadsheet formula workflow for this task.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable For | Main Need | How WPS Helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Learning function entry | New users | Need to know where to insert the function | Search for AREAS in the Insert Function dialog |
| 2 | Fast formula input | Users familiar with formulas | Want fewer dialog steps | Type =AREAS(...) directly in a cell or the formula bar |
| 3 | Checking syntax structure | Users reviewing references | Need to confirm the reference format | Open the function help entry to review syntax and parameters |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free Users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic spreadsheet editing and formula entry in WPS Spreadsheet | ✅ | ✅ |
| Entering AREAS from Insert Function or the formula bar | ✅ | ✅ |
| Additional premium benefits | Depends on the current plan | More benefits may be available depending on the selected plan |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage Scenario | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday spreadsheet work and formula learning | Free plan | Basic AREAS entry and use are available without membership |
| Users who also need more value-added office features | WPS Premium | You can choose a plan based on your broader office needs |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page