Excel - SEQUENCE Function
SEQUENCE Function
The Excel Sequence function creates a dynamic list of periodic values. It facilitates users' work with dynamic arrays without pressing the Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys, which are required for one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays. Additionally, it can populate sequence dates, and you can set the custom start and increment while generating it. The sequence function is listed under the category of the Dynamic Array function in Microsoft Excel.
Compatibility
This Dynamic Array function is compatible with the following versions of Microsoft Excel −
- Excel for Microsoft 365
- Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
- Excel for the web
- Excel 2024
- Excel 2024 for Mac
- Excel 2021
- Excel 2021 for Mac
- Excel for iPad
- Excel for iPhone
- Excel for Android tablets
- Excel for Android phones
Syntax
The syntax of the SEQUENCE function is as follows −
=SEQUENCE(rows,[columns],[start],[step])
Arguments
You can use the following arguments with the FILTER function −
| Argument | Description | Required / Optional |
|---|---|---|
| Rows | It indicates the number of rows to be retrieved. | Required |
| Columns | It specifies the column numbers to be retrieved. | Optional |
| Start | A numeric value representing the starting number. | Optional |
| Step | A numeric value requires increasing each data value in the selected range of cells. | Optional |
Lets elaborate on a few outstanding examples of using the Sequence function in Excel are as follows −
Example of SEQUENCE Function
Practice the following example to learn the use of the SEQUENCE function in Excel.
Example 1
Using the Sequence function to generate the dynamic array of 4*5 two dimensional whose values are incremented by 3.
Solution
You need to use the latest version of Microsoft Excel to generate the custom sequence of dynamic arrays.
Step 1 − First, open a desired worksheet in Microsoft Excel 365, place the cursor on the B2 cell, and double-click.
Step 2 − After that, enter the formula =SEQUENCE(4,5,10,3) and hit the Enter.
Explanation
=SEQUENCE(4,5,10,3)
Row − The first argument indicates the number of rows, which is 4.
Columns − The second argument denotes the number of columns, which is 5.
Start − The third argument denotes the starting number 10 in the Sequence formula.
The fourth argument represents increment 3, which means each value is incremented by 3.
Example 2
You can use the Sequence function to generate the dynamic list of numbers. The sample dataset comprises two columns, Serial Number and Task. The multiple task are given in the C column.
Step 2 − After that, enter the formula ="Serial No. &SEQUENCE(COUNTA(C:C)) in the B8 cell to create a dynamic list depending upon the count of the cell values in column C.
Therefore, the dynamic list of the serial number is generated through the Sequence function in Excel.
Further more, if you type the next task, Training of new joiners, in the C15 cell and press the Enter tab, the serial number for the next cell, B16, is automatically populated like this.
Example 3
Create a consecutive sequence of dates using the Sequence function.
Solution
Open the Excel worksheet, locate the pointer in the B2 cell, and double-click on it to write the sequence formula =SEQUENCE(10, TODAY(), 1) to populate the ten consecutive dates incremented by one starting from todays date.
Therefore, the Sequence function will return 10 consecutive dates, beginning with today's date and increasing by 1.
Download Practice Sheet
You can download and use the sample data sheet to practice the SEQUENCE function.