Google Data Analytics Professional Certification Practice Test

What does the function COUNTA do in data analysis?

1. Counts the total number of unique values in a dataset

2. Counts the total number of values within a specified range

3. Calculates the average of a range of numbers

4. Counts only non-numeric values in a dataset

The correct answer is: Counts the total number of values within a specified range

The function COUNTA is designed to count the total number of non-empty cells within a specified range, which encompasses all values, including numbers, text, errors, and logical values. It provides a simple way to determine how many cells contain any type of data, thus offering insights into the amount of information present in that range. Choosing to focus solely on counting "the total number of values within a specified range" highlights COUNTA's ability to account for all non-blank entries, making it particularly useful in various data analysis scenarios. For instance, if you're assessing a dataset and need to confirm how many responses have been collected, COUNTA will effectively give you that count regardless of the data type entered in those cells. The other options do not accurately describe COUNTA's functionality: one option suggests counting unique values, which is the function of another tool; another mentions averaging, which relates to a different type of calculation; and another option incorrectly limits the scope to only non-numeric values, whereas COUNTA captures all forms of data as long as the cells are not empty.