When COUNT and COUNTA differ

COUNT and COUNTA both tally cells, but they do not follow the same rule.

COUNT counts numbers only. Text is skipped. Empty cells are skipped.

COUNTA counts every cell that has something in it, including numbers and text. Empty cells are skipped.

If a column mixes prices with the word pending, COUNT returns how many prices there are. COUNTA returns the prices plus the word.

Use COUNT when you need a numeric tally. Use COUNTA when you need a tally of filled cells, numbers and text together.