Check That All Required Cells Are Filled

All versionsCOUNTA

Before submitting a form or row, confirm nothing’s missing. Compare how many required cells are filled to how many there are — a one-cell “complete?” check.

Quick formula: are all of B2:F2 filled?

=COUNTA(B2:F2) = COLUMNS(B2:F2)

COUNTA counts non-blanks; COLUMNS counts the cells. Equal means every required cell has a value.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

COUNTA COUNTBLANK

The example

A row checked for completeness.

	A	B
1	Row	Complete?
2	all filled	TRUE
3	one blank	FALSE

The formula

Count filled vs total:

=COUNTA(B2:F2) = COLUMNS(B2:F2) // TRUE if none blank

How it works

Completeness is a count comparison:

COUNTA(range) counts the filled cells in the required range.
COLUMNS(range) (or COUNT of cells) is the total required.
When they’re equal, nothing is blank — the row is complete.
Equivalent: =COUNTBLANK(B2:F2) = 0 — zero blanks means done.

Drive a submit gate: wrap it in IF for a status — =IF(COUNTBLANK(required)=0, "Ready", "Missing fields") — and conditionally format incomplete rows so gaps are obvious before anyone submits.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Fields (one per line; blanks count as missing).

Complete?

Variations

No blanks test

Equivalent:

=COUNTBLANK(B2:F2) = 0

Status label

Readable:

=IF(COUNTBLANK(req)=0, "Ready", "Missing")

How many missing

Count gaps:

=COUNTBLANK(B2:F2)

Pitfalls & errors

Spaces count as filled. A cell with only a space passes COUNTA — validate with TRIM if that matters.

Formula blanks. A cell returning "" counts as filled to COUNTA but may be “empty” to you.

Pick the right range. Include only the required cells, not optional ones.

Practice workbook

📊

Download the free Check That All Required Cells Are Filled practice workbook

A completeness-check sheet with the no-blanks, status, and count-missing variants, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check that all required cells are filled in Excel?

Compare counts: =COUNTA(range) = COLUMNS(range), or =COUNTBLANK(range) = 0. Either is TRUE only when nothing is blank.

How do I show a 'Missing fields' status?

Wrap in IF: =IF(COUNTBLANK(required)=0, "Ready", "Missing fields").

Why does a row with a space show as complete?

COUNTA counts a space as filled. Use TRIM-based checks if blank-looking spaces should count as missing.

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Function references: COUNTA · COUNTBLANK