SEQUENCE Function

Excel Functions › Math & Trig

Excel 365 Math & Trig

The Excel SEQUENCE function generates a list of sequential numbers that spills into a row, a column, or a grid — with control over the count, start value, and step.


Quick answer:
=SEQUENCE(5) spills the column {1;2;3;4;5}

Syntax

=SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])
ArgumentDescription
rowsRequiredThe number of rows in the result.
columnsOptionalThe number of columns (default 1).
startOptionalThe first number in the sequence (default 1).
stepOptionalThe amount to increment each value by (default 1).

How to use it

SEQUENCE returns a dynamic array of evenly spaced numbers. With just one argument it makes a vertical list; add columns to make a grid.

=SEQUENCE(5) // {1;2;3;4;5} down a column
=SEQUENCE(2,3) // 2 rows x 3 cols, values 1..6
=SEQUENCE(4,1,10,5) // start 10, step 5 → {10;15;20;25}

It shines for building dates, numbered lists, and inputs to other dynamic-array functions. Combine it with LAMBDA, BYROW, or MMULT to drive calculations without helper columns.

Excel 365 only. SEQUENCE is a dynamic-array function and spills automatically. Make sure the cells below and to the right are empty, or you will get a #SPILL! error.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Pick a SEQUENCE example to see the formula and its result.

Result:

Practice workbook

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Frequently asked questions

What do the four arguments of SEQUENCE do?
rows sets how many rows, columns how many columns (default 1), start the first value (default 1), and step the increment (default 1). So =SEQUENCE(4,1,10,5) gives {10;15;20;25}.
How do I make a horizontal sequence?
Set rows to 1 and put the count in columns: =SEQUENCE(1,5) spills 1 through 5 across a row.
Why do I get a #SPILL! error?
The cells where the result needs to land aren't empty. Clear the range below and to the right of the formula so the array has room to spill.
Which Excel versions support SEQUENCE?
SEQUENCE is a dynamic-array function available only in Microsoft 365 (and Excel for the web). It is not in Excel 2019 or earlier perpetual versions.

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Related functions: RANDARRAY · LET · MUNIT · SUM · ROW