COUNTUNIQUE Function in Google Sheets: Explained

In this article, you will learn how to use the COUNTUNIQUE formula in Google Sheets. 

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What does the COUNTUNIQUE formula do in Google Sheets?

This formula allows you to count the number of cells with any duplicates excluded. If there are some duplicates of a particular value in a data set, you apply this formula, and the number of the specific values is counted as one.

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How to use the COUNTUNIQUE formula in Google Sheets

1. Type “=COUNTUNIQUE” or go to “Insert” → “Function” (or directly navigate to the “Functions” icon)  → “Math” → “COUNTUNIQUE”.
2. Select a range or an array in which you want to count the number of distinctive values.
3. Press the “Enter” key.

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The generic syntax is as follows:

=COUNTUNIQUE(value1, [value2, …]).

Value1: This argument should be a cell, range, or array.

Value2: If you need to select other ranges, you can add as value2, value3, ….

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Note

1. The COUNTUNIQUE function counts the number of unique values. So, even when a specific value appears more than once in a data set, the particular value is measured only once.
2. The function does not count the number of entirely blank cells, though it counts the number of cells containing only whitespace(s).
3. Ensure all values that you want to count don’t include hidden text such as “‘“ or an apostrophe. For example, if a cell input is “‘7”, it looks like “7”.

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The following picture how the formula works. As you can see, while the total number of cells is eight in the chosen range, the function returns five. Why does this happen? - (i) The COUNTUNIQUE formula counts the redundant items (ones highlighted) only once for each item; and (ii) it doesn’t count the number of emply cells.

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Does the COUNTUNIQUE function count blank cells?

As explained above, it does not count the number of entirely blank cells. If you need to calculate the number of empty cells, you should use the COUNTBLANK formula.

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What are the other formulas related to mathematics and statistics

If you don’t get the solution you are looking for in this article, or you have further questions related to mathematics or statistics, you may find the answers in the following articles.

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Go to the following articles to learn basic formulas in Google Sheets.

How to Do Math in Google Sheets for Beginners

ADD Function in Google Sheets: Explained

MINUS Function in Google Sheets: Explained

DIVIDE Function in Google Sheets: Explained

MULTIPLY Function in Google Sheets: Explained

PRODUCT Function in Google Sheets: Explained

How to Use SUM Function in Google Sheets

How to Use SUMPRODUCT Formula in Google Sheets

How to Use MAX Function in Google Sheets

How to Use MIN Function in Google Sheets

How to Use MEDIAN Function in Google Sheets

How to Use AVERAGE Formula in Google Sheets

How to Use MODE Function in Google Sheets

MOD Function in Google Sheets: Explained

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Navigate to the pages below to learn how to sum, count, or average numbers with a condition or multiple conditions. 

How to Use SUMIF Function in Google Sheets - sum up the numbers that meet a criterion

SUMIFS Function in Google Sheets: Explained - sum up the numbers that meet multiple criteria

How to Use COUNTIF Function in Google Sheets - count the number of cells that meet a requirement

How to Use COUNTIFS function in Google Sheets - count the number of cells that meet multiple requirements

AVERAGEIF Function in Google Sheets: Explained - average the figures that meet a standard

AVERAGEIFS Function in Google Sheets: Explained - average the figures that meet multiple standards

AVERAGE.WEIGHTED Function in Google Sheets: Explained - use this formula to calculate the weighted average

MAXIFS Function in Google Sheets: Explained - seek for the maximum value that meets specific criteria

MINIFS Function in Google Sheets: Explained - seek for the minimum value that meets specific criteria

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Visit the following post if you are interested in learning how to count the number of specific cells.

COUNT Function in Google Sheets: Explained - count the number of cells containing numeric values (except for blank ones)

COUNTA Function in Google Sheets: Explained - count the number of cells incorporating all types of values containing text and date, except for blank ones

COUNTBLANK Function in Google Sheets: Explained - count the number of blank cells

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You can learn about other Google Sheets formulas and tips that are not mentioned here on this page: LiveFlow‘s How to Guides

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Analyze your live financial data in a snap

Are you learning this formula to visualize financial data, build a financial model, or conduct financial analysis? In that case, LiveFlow may help you automate manual workflows and update numbers in real-time. You can access various financial templates on our website, from the simple Income Statement to Multi-Currency Consolidated Financial Statement. You can also customize these templates as you want without breaking the automated data inflow.

To learn more about LiveFlow, book a demo.