# How to count checkboxes in Google Sheets

A ticked checkbox is TRUE, so count TRUE: `=COUNTIF(C2:C9,TRUE)`.

**Google Sheets:** `=COUNTIF(C2:C9,TRUE)`

**Excel:** Excel checkboxes (Insert > Checkbox in Microsoft 365) also store TRUE and FALSE, so the same COUNTIF works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Task | Owner | Done |  | Completed |
| Draft budget | Ana | true |  |  |
| Book venue | Raj | false |  |  |
| Order badges | Lee | true |  |  |
| Send invites | Ana | true |  |  |
| Confirm catering | Kim | false |  |  |
| Print programs | Lee | false |  |  |
| Arrange AV | Raj | true |  |  |
| Plan seating | Kim | true |  |  |

Formula in E2: `=COUNTIF(C2:C9,TRUE)`

Result: 5

## How it works

A checkbox cell holds TRUE when ticked and FALSE when not. COUNTIF with TRUE as the criterion counts the ticked ones. Use the value TRUE, not the text "TRUE" in quotes.

## Other ways

- `=COUNTIF(C2:C9,FALSE)`: Count the unticked boxes instead. (Counts the 3 open tasks.)
- `=COUNTIF(C2:C9,TRUE)/COUNTA(A2:A9)`: Divide by the number of tasks for the share completed; format it as a percentage. (0.625, or 62.5% as a percentage.)

## Common mistakes

- Checkboxes can be set to custom values (Data validation > Use custom cell values). Then count those values, such as "Yes", instead of TRUE.
- An empty cell isn't FALSE: counting FALSE misses rows where no checkbox was inserted.

## Questions

**How do I count checked boxes for one person?**

Use COUNTIFS: `=COUNTIFS(C2:C9,TRUE,B2:B9,"Ana")`.

**How do I show a progress bar?**

Use SPARKLINE with the share done: `=SPARKLINE(COUNTIF(C2:C9,TRUE)/COUNTA(A2:A9),{"charttype","bar";"max",1})`.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/count-checkboxes