What does the COUNT function do?

The COUNT function is specifically designed to count the number of cells that contain numeric values within a specified range. This means that if you apply the COUNT function to a range of cells, it will only include those cells that have numbers in them, excluding any text or empty cells. This function is particularly useful when you're interested in analyzing datasets where you need to determine how many entries are numeric, such as in a list of scores, sales figures, or measurements.

The other options refer to different operations or types of counts that the COUNT function does not perform. For example, summing up numeric values pertains to the SUM function, counting all cells, regardless of their content, relates to the COUNTA function, and counting unique entries is handled by the COUNTIF function or advanced formulas using functions like UNIQUE. Understanding the specific use of these functions is crucial for effective data analysis in spreadsheets.