What is the syntax of the DCOUNT function?

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=DCOUNT()

Counts the cells that contain numbers in a field (column) of records in a list or database that match conditions that you specify. The field argument is optional. If field is omitted, DCOUNT counts all records in the database that match the criteria.

Applies To: Excel for Microsoft 365Excel for Microsoft 365 for MacExcel 2024Excel 2024 for MacExcel 2021Excel 2021 for MacExcel 2019Excel 2016

=DCOUNT(database, field, criteria)

Hover argument names in the table for details.

Output typeNumber

Popularity25 / 100

VolatileNo

Dynamic ArrayNo

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◧ Arguments

Argument	Type	Required	Description
`database`	Range	Required	The range of cells that makes up the list or database. A database is a list of related data in which rows of related information are records, and columns of data are fields. The first row of the list contains labels for each column.
`field`	Any type	Required	Indicates which column is used in the function. Enter the column label enclosed between double quotation marks, such as "Age" or "Yield," or a number (without quotation marks) that represents the position of the column within the list: 1 for the first column, 2 for the second column, and so on.
`criteria`	Range	Required	The range of cells that contains the conditions that you specify. You can use any range for the criteria argument, as long as the argument includes at least one column label and at least one cell below the column label in which you specify a condition for the column.

▣ Examples

▦ Data

Cell	Value
`A2`	Tree
`B2`	Height
`C2`	Age
`D2`	Yield
`E2`	Profit
`F2`	Height
`A3`	="=Apple"
`B3`	>10
`F3`	<16
`A4`	="=Pear"
`A5`	Tree
`B5`	Height
`C5`	Age
`D5`	Yield
`E5`	Profit
`A6`	Apple
`B6`	18
`C6`	20
`D6`	14
`E6`	$105
`A7`	Pear
`B7`	12
`C7`	12
`D7`	10
`E7`	$96
`A8`	Cherry
`B8`	13
`C8`	14
`D8`	9
`E8`	$105
`A9`	Apple
`B9`	14
`C9`	N/A
`D9`	10
`E9`	$75
`A10`	Pear
`B10`	9
`C10`	8
`D10`	8
`E10`	$77
`A11`	Apple
`B11`	12
`C11`	11
`D11`	6
`E11`	$45
`A12`	Tree
`B12`	Height
`C12`	Age
`D12`	Yield
`E12`	Profit
`F12`	Height
`A13`	="=Apple"
`B13`	>10
`F13`	<16
`A14`	="=Pear"
`A15`	Tree
`B15`	Height
`C15`	Age
`D15`	Yield
`E15`	Profit
`A16`	Apple
`B16`	18
`C16`	20
`D16`	14
`E16`	$105
`A17`	Pear
`B17`	12
`C17`	12
`D17`	10
`E17`	$96
`A18`	Cherry
`B18`	13
`C18`	14
`D18`	9
`E18`	$105
`A19`	Apple
`B19`	14
`C19`	N/A
`D19`	10
`E19`	$75
`A20`	Pear
`B20`	9
`C20`	8
`D20`	8
`E20`	$77
`A21`	Apple
`B21`	12
`C21`	11
`D21`	6
`E21`	$45

Finds apple trees between a height of 10 and 16 and counts how many of the Age fields in those records contain numbers. =DCOUNT(A4:E10, "Age", A1:F2)

Result: 1

§ Remarks

You can use any range for the criteria argument, as long as it includes at least one column label and at least one cell below the column label for specifying the condition. For example, if the range G1:G2 contains the column label Income in G1 and the amount $10,000 in G2, you could define the range as MatchIncome and use that name as the criteria argument in the database functions.
Although the criteria range can be located anywhere on the worksheet, do not place the criteria range below the list. If you add more information to the list, the new information is added to the first row below the list. If the row below the list is not blank, Microsoft Excel cannot add the new information.
Make sure that the criteria range does not overlap the list.
To perform an operation on an entire column in a database, enter a blank line below the column labels in the criteria range.

✦ Tips

You can use any range for the criteria argument, as long as it includes at least one column label and at least one cell below the column label for specifying the condition. For example, if the range G1:G2 contains the column label Income in G1 and the amount $10,000 in G2, you could define the range as MatchIncome and use that name as the criteria argument in the database functions.
Although the criteria range can be located anywhere on the worksheet, do not place the criteria range below the list. If you add more information to the list, the new information is added to the first row below the list. If the row below the list is not blank, Microsoft Excel cannot add the new information.
Make sure that the criteria range does not overlap the list.
To perform an operation on an entire column in a database, enter a blank line below the column labels in the criteria range.

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=DCOUNT() ☆