COLUMN in WPS on Windows: Introduction

WPS COLUMN is a built-in spreadsheet function for returning a column number from a reference or cell; this guide covers 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	4	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	4	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

The COLUMN function in WPS Spreadsheet returns the column number of a reference or cell. It is useful for spreadsheet formulas, reference checks, nested calculations, and automatic recalculation when data changes.

Core capabilities include:

Entering the COLUMN function directly in a worksheet cell.
Using syntax prompts to confirm argument structure.
Combining COLUMN with nested formulas or cross-sheet references.
Updating results automatically after worksheet changes.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	The latest version of WPS Office is recommended
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula use; internet access is needed for download and account services
Other	WPS Spreadsheet should be installed, and you should be able to open or create a worksheet

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Post-install check	Open WPS Office, launch WPS Spreadsheet, and confirm that formula entry and editing are available on the Formulas tab

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	Provides the built-in COLUMN function for spreadsheet formulas, with formula-bar entry, syntax prompts, cross-sheet references, nested calculations, and automatic recalculation.	Excel provides built-in functions, function syntax guidance, and nested formulas from the Formulas tab in the ribbon.	Google Sheets supports spreadsheet formulas and data calculations, and also highlights AI-assisted formula creation in Sheets.	Notion formulas are designed for database properties and property-based calculations rather than worksheet cell references.	Adobe Acrobat focuses on PDF forms, field validation, and document workflows instead of general spreadsheet formula functions.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: Directly fits worksheet column-number lookup and formula editing in a desktop spreadsheet workflow. Distinct: Suitable for quick formula entry, revision, and result checking in everyday spreadsheet work.	Compared with WPS: Excel supports similar spreadsheet formula workflows, but its official guidance is broader across the full Excel function system rather than a focused column-reference scenario.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets emphasizes online collaboration, AI assistance, and cloud workflows more than local desktop formula editing.	Compared with WPS: Notion formulas are centered on database properties, so they are not aimed at cell-based column-number lookup in spreadsheets.	Compared with WPS: Adobe tools are oriented to PDF form fields and validation, not worksheet-based column analysis.
Official Source	—	Excel formulas	Google Sheets product page	Notion formulas	Acrobat Desktop Help

Overall Conclusion: WPS COLUMN is well suited to Windows spreadsheet work that needs column lookup, formula combinations, and quick recalculation. If your main work centers on cloud collaboration, database properties, or PDF form processing, another product may fit those scenarios better.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main challenge	How COLUMN helps
1	Column lookup	Spreadsheet editors	Need to confirm which column a reference belongs to	Use COLUMN to return the column number of the current or specified reference
2	Nested formula building	Data analysts	Long formulas make position checks harder	Use COLUMN as an argument inside other functions
3	Cross-sheet reference checks	Multi-sheet users	References across worksheets are harder to verify	Use COLUMN in cross-sheet formulas to identify the referenced column
4	Recalculation review	Everyday office users	Results need to stay aligned after data changes	Let the function update automatically after edits

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free	WPS Premium
COLUMN function use	Yes	Yes
Basic spreadsheet editing	Yes	Yes
Advanced PDF and some extended tools	Limited in some areas	More advanced tools available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage scenario	Recommended plan	Why
Everyday formula entry and basic spreadsheet calculations	Free	The COLUMN function itself is available for regular spreadsheet work
More cloud storage or broader tool access	WPS Premium	Better suited to users who also need expanded tools and cross-device storage

WPS membership center: Subscribe now