Blog
Tutorials
How to Count Words in Airtable: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Count Words in Airtable: Step-by-Step Guide

connor finlayson
Connor Finlayson
July 30, 2024

Today, we're going to learn how to create a word count formula in Airtable. This guide will help you set up a formula that automatically counts the number of words in any text field, making your data management easier.

Counting words can be useful for many reasons, especially if you're building and managing online marketplaces:

  • Content Quality: Ensure product descriptions, seller profiles, and user reviews meet specific word count requirements. This helps keep the content on your platform high-quality and consistent.
  • Feedback Analysis: Easily quantify and categorize customer feedback and seller responses, making it easier to understand and analyze input.
  • SEO Optimization: Monitor and optimize content length for better SEO, improving your marketplace’s visibility in search results.

Using a word count formula in Airtable will save you time and help keep your records accurate, making your marketplace more efficient and professional.

Join My Automation & No-Code Newsletter

Join 13k+ entrepreneurs and receive tutorials, tips, and strategies for building smarter digital products using no-code, AI, and automation.

Thank you! We will reach out when we have updates!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
A screenshot of a workflow automation software interface with a sequential diagram of tasks for client approval, various icons representing actions, and a performance chart below. The interface is inactive with a message stating no scenarios or executions are currently running.

Step-By-Step Guide

To do a word count in Airtable, you can use a formula field. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Add a Formula Field:

  1. Click on the "+" sign at the end of your table to add a new field.
  2. Choose "Formula" as the field type.

Use the Word Count Formula:

  1. In the formula field, you will use a combination of functions to count the words. Here’s a basic formula you can use:
  2. LEN(TRIM({Your Text Field})) - LEN(SUBSTITUTE(TRIM({Your Text Field}), " ", "")) + 1
  3. Replace {Your Text Field} with the name of the field you want to count words in.

Adjust for Empty Fields:

  1. If your text field might be empty, you can use an IF statement to handle this case:
  2. IF({Your Text Field} = "", 0, LEN(TRIM({Your Text Field})) - LEN(SUBSTITUTE(TRIM({Your Text Field}), " ", "")) + 1)
  3. This formula will return 0 if the field is empty, otherwise, it will return the word count.

Save the Formula:

  1. After entering the formula, click "Create Field" to save it.

Your new formula field will now display the word count for each record in the specified text field.

Ready To Dive DEeP?

The Landing Page Engine

Learn how to set up a AI-powered programmatic landing page system

  1. MVMP Labs: Join our online community for first-time founders building no-code marketplaces. Get access to exclusive resources, step-by-step guides, and a supportive network of peers who are on the same journey as you.
  2. The MVMP Mastermind: Work directly with me through 1:1 coaching, monthly group strategy calls, and personalized feedback. Ideal for founders who want accountability, faster progress, and expert guidance to build and launch successfully.
  3. Studio: Let my team handle the heavy lifting. We’ll build your automations, build entire MVPS, basically let you focus on building the business, whilst we build the systems.
  4. Learn No-Code on YouTube: Follow my free, hands-on tutorials where I teach you how to build and automate no-code marketplaces step-by-step. Subscribe here for weekly videos and start creating today.