Using the COUNTIF Function in Excel Help Sheet
The COUNTIF function counts how many cells meet a certain condition in a range. It’s perfect
for answering questions like:
> “How many students scored above 80?”
> “How many times does ‘Yes’ appear?”
> “How many products are out of stock?”
The Formula
=COUNTIF(range, criteria)
Range: The group of cells to look in
Criteria: What you’re checking for
Example 1: Counting Text
Goal: Count how many days where someone was supported (with “Yes” in column B)
=COUNTIF(B17:B22, “Yes”)
Example 2: Counting Numbers
Goal: Count scores greater than 80 in column B
=COUNTIF(B10:B12, “>100”)
Example 3: COUNTIF with Cell Reference
You can also use a cell reference instead of typing the criteria directly:
=COUNTIF(B17:B22, B24). This is using the value in B24; “No” in this example.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Mistake Fix It Like This
Forgot quotation marks for text Use "Yes" not Yes
Wrong range Make sure your range covers all cells
Extra spaces Check for typos or trailing spaces
Bonus things you can do with COUNTIF:
Task Formula Example
Count values not equal (use the <> sign) =COUNTIF(A1:A10,"<>Apples")
Count blank cells =COUNTIF(A1:A10,"")
Count specific number =COUNTIF(A1:A10,5)
Using COUNTIF is like giving Excel a mini search mission — and you’re in charge. With just one line, you
can spot patterns, answer questions, and impress with data!
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