SEQUENCE function
SEQUENCE generates a list or grid of numbers from one formula: 1 to 10, every fifth number, or a countdown. Add it to a date to build a schedule of weekly or daily dates, or use it inside other functions wherever you need a run of row numbers.
- Available in
- Excel 2021, 2024 and Microsoft 365
- Category
- Dynamic array functions
- Returns
- A grid of numbers, filled across each row and then down. It spills.
- Google Sheets
- Available in Google Sheets with the same arguments.
Syntax
=SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
rows | Required | How many rows to fill. |
columns | Optional | How many columns to fill. The default is 1. |
start | Optional | The first number. The default is 1. |
step | Optional | How much each number goes up by. The default is 1; a negative step counts down. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =SEQUENCE(6) | 1spills 6 × 1 | Six numbers down a column: 1 to 6 |
| E2 | =SEQUENCE(2,3,5,5) | 5spills 2 × 3 | Two rows by three columns, starting at 5 and going up by 5 |
| H2 | =A2+SEQUENCE(B2,1,0,7) | 1/5/2026spills 6 × 1 | A date every 7 days, as many as the weeks in B2 |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Start date | Weeks | Row numbers | Fives | Weekly check-ins | |||
| 1/5/2026 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 1/5/2026 | |
| 2 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 1/12/2026 | |||
| 3 | 1/19/2026 | ||||||
| 4 | 1/26/2026 | ||||||
| 5 | 2/2/2026 | ||||||
| 6 | 2/9/2026 |
Practice SEQUENCE
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Weekly check-ins
D2, list the date of every weekly check-in: the start date in A2, then every 7 days, for the number of weeks in B2.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| #SPILL! | Something is in the cells the result needs. Clear everything below and to the right of the formula, or move it to an empty area. |
| #VALUE! or #CALC! | rows or columns is zero, negative or text. Point them at a cell that holds a positive whole number. |
| Numbers run across instead of down | SEQUENCE fills each row before moving down. For a single column, leave columns at 1: =SEQUENCE(10). |
| Dates show as numbers like 46027 | Excel stores dates as numbers. Format the result cells as dates. |
Tips
- Number a list that grows on its own: =SEQUENCE(COUNTA(A2:A100)).
- Count down with a negative step: =SEQUENCE(5,1,10,-2) returns 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.
Questions
How do I number rows automatically in Excel?
=SEQUENCE(COUNTA(A2:A100)) numbers as many rows as there are entries in column A, and updates when you add more.
How do I make a list of dates?
Add SEQUENCE to a start date: =A2+SEQUENCE(12,1,0,7) gives 12 dates a week apart. Use a step of 1 for daily dates.
Can SEQUENCE make a calendar grid?
Yes. =SEQUENCE(5,7,start) returns five rows of seven numbers. Use a Sunday or Monday date as start and format the cells to show just the day.
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.