How to Use the SEQUENCE Function in Excel: 7 Practical Examples
SEQUENCE returns a list or grid of numbers from one formula. The result "spills" into the cells below and to the right, so you never have to drag a fill handle. It is available in Excel 365 and Excel 2021, and in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])
| Argument | Required? | Meaning | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| rows | Yes | How many rows to return | none |
| columns | No | How many columns to return | 1 |
| start | No | First number | 1 |
| step | No | Amount added each time (can be negative) | 1 |
Numbers fill across each row first, then move to the next row.
Example 1: A simple list
=SEQUENCE(5)
Result: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in five cells going down.
Example 2: Start somewhere else and change the step
=SEQUENCE(5, 1, 1, 2)
Result: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 going down.
Count down with a negative step:
=SEQUENCE(5, 1, 10, -2)
Result: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.
Example 3: A row instead of a column
=SEQUENCE(1, 5, 1, 2)
Result: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 going across one row.
Example 4: A grid of numbers
=SEQUENCE(3, 2, 5, 2)
Result: a grid with 3 rows and 2 columns:
| 5 | 7 |
|---|---|
| 9 | 11 |
| 13 | 15 |
Example 5: A date series
=SEQUENCE(5, 1, DATE(2026,11,2), 7)
Format the spill range as Short Date. Dates are just serial numbers, so a step of 7 gives one date per week.
Result: 11/2/2026, 11/9/2026, 11/16/2026, 11/23/2026, 11/30/2026 (all Mondays).
For the first day of each month in 2026, combine it with EDATE:
=EDATE(DATE(2026,1,1), SEQUENCE(12, 1, 0))
Result: 1/1/2026, 2/1/2026, ... 12/1/2026.
Example 6: A 9 by 9 multiplication table
=SEQUENCE(9) * SEQUENCE(1, 9)
A column of 1 to 9 times a row of 1 to 9 gives a 9 by 9 table. The first row is 1 to 9, the second row is 2, 4, 6 ... 18, and the last row ends with 81.
Example 7: A repeating pattern
=MOD(SEQUENCE(7, 1, 0), 3) + 1
Result: 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1. Useful for assigning people to 3 teams in rotation.
Running total with SEQUENCE (Excel 365)
SCAN keeps a running total over the array that SEQUENCE creates:
=SCAN(0, SEQUENCE(5, 1, 10, 5), LAMBDA(total, n, total + n))
The sequence is 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.
Result: 10, 25, 45, 70, 100.
Automatic row numbers that follow your data
Number every row of a list in A2:A10 without typing:
=SEQUENCE(ROWS(A2:A10))
Result: 1 to 9. If you use a Table or a dynamic range, the numbering grows with the data.
Common mistakes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
#SPILL! |
Something sits in the cells where the result needs to go | Clear the cells below and to the right |
#NAME? |
Your Excel is 2019 or older | Use ROW(INDIRECT("1:10")) or upgrade to 365/2021 |
| Dates show as numbers like 46328 | The spill range is formatted as General | Format the cells as Date |
| Grid fills in an unexpected order | Excel fills each row left to right first | Swap rows and columns, or wrap in TRANSPOSE |
#VALUE! or #CALC! |
A rows or columns value is 0, negative or text | Use a positive whole number |
FAQ
What does SEQUENCE do in Excel?
It generates an array of numbers, based on the number of rows and columns you choose, a start value and a step. The array spills into neighboring cells from a single formula.
Is SEQUENCE available in Google Sheets?
Yes. Google Sheets has SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step]) with the same arguments, and it spills without ARRAYFORMULA.
How do I create a list of dates with SEQUENCE?
Use a date as the start and the number of days as the step, then format the cells as dates. For example, =SEQUENCE(5, 1, DATE(2026,11,2), 7) gives five weekly dates starting November 2, 2026.
Can I use SEQUENCE in Excel 2019?
No. SEQUENCE needs dynamic arrays, which were added in Excel 365 and Excel 2021. In older versions it returns #NAME?.
What is the difference between SEQUENCE and the fill handle?
The fill handle copies a pattern into cells once. SEQUENCE is a formula, so the list resizes and updates when you change the rows, start or step values.