How to use the COUNTIF function
The COUNTIF function calculates the number of cells that is equal to a condition.
Formula in cell D3:
Lucy is found twice, in cell B3 and B7, the function returns 2 in cell D3.
Excel Function Syntax
COUNTIF(range, criteria)
Arguments
| range | Required. The cell range you want to count the cells meeting a condition. |
| criteria | Required. The condition that you want to count. |
Comments
The condition is not case sensitive.
Table of Contents
- Example 1 - Count with single criterion
- Example 2 - Count cells larger/less than a criterion
- Example 3 - Count cells containing a text string
- Example 4 - Absolute and relative cell reference
- Example 5 - Array formula
- Download example file
Example 1 - Count with a single criterion
The following formula in cell D5 counts the number of cells within cell range C6:C13 that meet criterion "Lucy":
=COUNTIF(C6:C13, "Lucy")
Example 2 - Count cells larger/less than a criterion
The following formula in cell D5 counts the number of cells within cell range C6:C13 that is larger than or equal to 500:
Example 3 - Count cells containing a text string
The following formula in cell D5 counts the number of cells within cell range C6:C13 that contains the text string "apple":
Example 4 - Absolute and relative cell reference
Formula in cell C6:
=COUNTIF($B$6:B6,B6)
$B$6:B6 is a cell reference to cell B6. When the cell is copied to cells below, the cell reference changes. The first part $B$6 i always locked to cell B6, the last part B6 changes. Cell range $B$6:B6 "grows" when you copy the cell.
This technique is used in this popular post: Filter unique distinct values
In cell C20:
=COUNTIF($B$6:B20,B20)
becomes
=COUNTIF({"Watermelon"; "Banana"; "Orange"; "Kiwi"; "Lemon"; "Apple"; "Apricot"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Apple"; "Pineapple"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Pear"; "plum"},"plum") and returns 1 in cell C20.
Example 5 - Array formula
Array formula in cell range C6:C20:
=COUNTIF(B6:B20, B6:B20)
How to enter an array formula
- Select cell range C6:C20
-
Copy / Paste formula to formula bar
- Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT
- Press Enter
- Release all keys
Explaining the array formula
The COUNTIF function counts the number of cells within a range that meet a single criterion. In this example I am using multiple values in the criteria argument.
Each value is in the criteria argument is used as a criterion and the returning array has the same number of values as the criteria argument.
The technique described here is used in this popular post: Count unique distinct values
=COUNTIF(B6:B20, B6:B20)
becomes
=COUNTIF({"Watermelon"; "Banana"; "Orange"; "Kiwi"; "Lemon"; "Apple"; "Apricot"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Apple"; "Pineapple"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Pear"; "plum"},{"Watermelon"; "Banana"; "Orange"; "Kiwi"; "Lemon"; "Apple"; "Apricot"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Apple"; "Pineapple"; "Banana"; "Pear"; "Pear"; "plum"})
and returns {1; 3; 1; 1; 1; 2; 1; 3; 3; 2; 1; 3; 3; 3; 1} in cell range C6:C20.
Download excel *.xlsx file
This extensive function reference list provides detailed information including syntax, arguments, return values, and examples for many of the functions used in Excel formulas. Click on headers to sort table.
Articles with the 'COUNTIF' Function
The following 7 articles have formulas that contain the COUNTIF function.
5 easy ways to extract Unique Distinct Values
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How to create a list of random unique numbers
Question: How do I create a random list of unique numbers from say 1 to 10, without using VBA and [โฆ]
This article describes how to count unique distinct values. What are unique distinct values? They are all values but duplicates are [โฆ]
Extract shared values between two columns
Question: How can I compare two columns to find values that exists in both cell ranges? The picture above shows [โฆ]
Use IF + COUNTIF to perform numerous conditions
The COUNTIF function allows you to construct a small IF formula that carries out plenty of logical expressions. Combining the IF [โฆ]
The easiest way to check if a cell contains a specific text string is, in my opinion, the IF and [โฆ]
How to use the COUNTIF function to count not blank cells
The COUNTIF function is very capable of counting non-empty values. Column B above have a few blank cells, they are [โฆ]
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[...] COUNTIF(range,criteria) Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition [...]
[โฆ] COUNTIF(range,criteria) Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition [โฆ]
[โฆ] COUNTIF(range,criteria) Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition [โฆ]
[โฆ] COUNTIF(range,criteria) Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition [โฆ]
I need a formula that will count the number of cells containing dates in column C1 to C10 that are less than or equal to the dates in column A1 to A10.