SEQUENCE - Generate a numbered array
Create aligned ticket numbers, a small grid, or calendar-date offsets without manually filling every cell.
By the end, you can
- Set rows, columns, start, and step.
- Read row-major grid output.
- Distinguish calendar-date sequences from workday scheduling.
Before you start: Understand spill dimensions and numeric increments.
In this lesson
One formula can create a whole numbered range
SEQUENCE generates an array of numbers using specified dimensions and increments. Dispatch can allocate ticket numbers, an analyst can create position indexes, and a planning sheet can add offsets to a date. The result is numeric data, not a permanently issued identifier registry or a working-day calendar.
Syntax and arguments
=SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])Columns, start, and step default to 1. Supply a dimension; Excel can omit rows when another dimension/argument is supplied, but these examples make it explicit.
| Argument | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
rowsRequired | Number of output rows in the vertical examples. | A2 |
columnsOptional | Number of output columns; default 1. | 1 |
startOptional | First generated value; default 1. | B2 |
stepOptional | Increment between successive values; default 1, negative counts down. | C2 |
Number a four-ticket dispatch batch
1001| A | B | C | D | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rows | First ticket | Step | Ticket | |
| 2 | 4 | 1001 | 1 | 1001 | |
| 3 | 1002 | ||||
| 4 | 1003 | ||||
| 5 | 1004 |
Grids, countdowns, and calendar offsets
=SEQUENCE(2,3,1,1)Values fill across each row before moving to the next row.
=SEQUENCE(3,1,10,-1)Start at 10 and decrement once per output value.
=DATE(2026,10,1)+SEQUENCE(3,1,0,1)Add offsets 0, 1, and 2 to the starting date. Saturday 3 October is included because this is calendar arithmetic.
Dimensions, spill limits, and compatibility
- The output needs rows×columns cells. A blocked destination gives #SPILL!, and invalid or oversized dimensions can produce errors instead of a valid empty report.
- A negative step changes direction; a zero step repeats the starting value. Dimensions still define the number of cells.
- Spilled formulas belong outside Excel Tables. The referenced controls remain ordinary inputs; edit the anchor or controls rather than individual spill cells.
- SEQUENCE is available in Microsoft 365 and Excel 2021/2024. It can generate serial offsets, but it does not skip weekends or holidays.
Common mistakes and Practice scope
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