What is the purpose of the COUNT function in Excel?

The COUNT function in Excel is specifically designed to count only numeric entries within a specified range of cells. This capability is particularly useful when you want to determine how many cells in a dataset contain numerical values, ignoring text entries or any empty cells.

For example, if you have a range that includes both numbers and text, the COUNT function will return a count of just the cells that have numbers, which can help in analyzing data sets where numerical analysis is required.

While the other options describe functionalities related to average calculation, total summation, or counting non-empty cells, they do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of the COUNT function. Understanding this distinction is essential for effective data analysis and accurate formula application in Excel.