Excel 2013+
Information
The Excel SHEETS function returns the number of sheets in a workbook or in a multi-sheet (3-D) reference — handy for dashboards that report workbook structure or loop across tabs.
Quick answer: how many sheets in this workbook?
=SHEETS() // total sheet count
Syntax
=SHEETS([reference])
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
reference | Optional | A reference whose sheets to count; omitted = all sheets in the workbook. |
How to use it
With no argument, SHEETS counts every sheet in the workbook (including hidden). Give it a 3-D reference to count the sheets it spans: =SHEETS(Sheet1:Sheet4!A1) returns 4. Pair with SHEET for the current position.
Try it: interactive demo
Live demo
Pick an input and watch the formula and result update.
This function takes no inputs to vary — here is what it returns:
Result:
Practice workbook
Download the free SHEETS practice workbook
Every example on this page, ready to open in Excel — plus practice challenges with answers on a separate tab. No sign-up required.
Frequently asked questions
Does SHEETS count hidden sheets?
Yes — all sheets are counted.
How do I count sheets in a 3-D reference?
Pass it: =SHEETS(Sheet1:Sheet4!A1) returns 4.
SHEETS vs SHEET?
SHEETS counts; SHEET returns one sheet’s index.
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