PHPExcel how to get column index from cell

Question

PHPExcel $cell->getColumn() returns 'A', 'B', 'C', ...

which is the best way to get the integer (0, 1, 2, ...) from the cell.

This function doesn't exist.

$colIndex = $cell->getColumnIndex(); 

So what is the alternative withoput converting chr to ascii ?

Answer 1

$colIndex = PHPExcel_Cell::columnIndexFromString($cell->getColumn());