COLUMNS in WPS on Windows: Introduction

COLUMNS in WPS is a spreadsheet function that returns the number of columns in a specified array or range; 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
Version limits	None stated	Available in WPS Spreadsheet across supported versions

About This Feature

Overview

COLUMNS is a built-in function in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows. It is used to return the number of columns in a specified array or cell range, making it useful for spreadsheet calculation and data analysis.

Core capabilities include:

Return the number of columns in a selected range for quick structure checks.
Support direct input in the formula bar with syntax prompts.
Support cross-sheet references for linked calculations.
Support nested formulas and automatic recalculation when data changes.

This function is useful for data analysis, worksheet structure checks, formula chaining, and multi-sheet calculations. It helps reduce manual counting and improves formula-writing efficiency.

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; WPS Spreadsheet is supported across current versions
Network	No mandatory internet connection is required for local formula calculation
Other	You need to open WPS Spreadsheet and edit formulas in cells

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Open WPS Spreadsheet and enter `=COLUMNS(` in the Formula tab or formula bar

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	In WPS Spreadsheet, the COLUMNS function returns the number of columns in a specified array or range, with syntax prompts, cross-sheet references, nested calculation support, and automatic recalculation.	Microsoft Excel provides the COLUMNS function to return the number of columns in an array or reference.	Google Sheets provides `COLUMNS(range)` to return the number of columns in a specified array or range.	Notion formulas support functions such as `length()` for text and list values, but they do not provide a spreadsheet-style COLUMNS function for cell ranges.	Adobe Acrobat JavaScript focuses on PDF, forms, and document scripting rather than spreadsheet formulas, so it does not provide a direct equivalent for counting columns in a worksheet range.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: Built for spreadsheet column-count scenarios directly in WPS Spreadsheet; Distinct: supports syntax prompts, cross-sheet references, nested formulas, and recalculation in everyday worksheet workflows.	Compared with WPS: Microsoft also offers a direct COLUMNS function with similar spreadsheet usage.	Compared with WPS: Google also offers a direct COLUMNS syntax for spreadsheet ranges in Sheets.	Compared with WPS: Notion is oriented more toward database properties and list-based formulas than worksheet cell-range column counting.	Compared with WPS: Adobe's official scripting environment is centered on PDF workflows instead of spreadsheet formula calculation.
Official Source	—	Microsoft COLUMNS function	Google COLUMNS help	Notion formula syntax	Adobe Acrobat JavaScript API Reference

Overall Conclusion: WPS COLUMNS is well suited to spreadsheet workflows that need direct column counting and linked calculations. Its usage is close to other spreadsheet tools for range-based formulas, while Notion and Adobe are designed for different database or PDF-centered workflows.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main pain point	How it helps
1	Count columns in a data range	Data analysts	Manual counting is easy to get wrong	Use COLUMNS to return the number of columns directly
2	Build nested formulas	Finance and operations users	Multi-layer formulas need dynamic column counts	Insert COLUMNS into larger formulas
3	Count columns across worksheets	Multi-sheet users	It is hard to confirm range structure across sheets quickly	Reference another sheet and return its column count
4	Check template structure	Spreadsheet template designers	Template changes make column checks harder	Use COLUMNS to verify range structure quickly
5	Recalculate after data changes	Everyday office users	Results need to stay in sync after edits	Let the function update automatically

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free	WPS Premium
Use the COLUMNS function	✅ Available	✅ Available
Basic spreadsheet formula calculation	✅ Available	✅ Available
Advanced PDF editing and conversion features	Partially limited	✅ More advanced capabilities available
Cloud storage	1 GB	20 GB or higher depending on plan

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Scenario	Recommended plan	Why
Everyday spreadsheet calculation and formula learning	Free	The COLUMNS function itself is available without membership
Need more cloud storage or broader advanced office features	WPS Premium	Suitable for users who also need expanded PDF, cloud, or multi-device capabilities

WPS membership center: Subscribe now