Best Excel Tutorial - COUNTIF function

In this lesson you can learn about COUNTIF function.

COUNTIF function counts the number of times within the specified range of cells that perform the specified value as a criterion.

Function syntax:

=COUNTIF (range, criteria)

Range - the range of cells that you want to count the data. There has to be an ongoing area.
Criteria - a condition that must be met for cell counting. In the case of numeric values - the condition can look like eg 100

Example 1 - count string with exact string of text

You want to count cells where there is only REPORT text. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,”REPORT”)

COUNTIF exact string of text

Example 2 - greater than

You want to count cells where value is greater than 10. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">"&10)

COUNTIF greater than

Example 3 - greater than or equal to

You want to count cells where value is greater than or equal 10. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">="&10)

Example 4 - not equal to

You want to count cells where value is not equal to 10. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"<>"&10)

COUNTIF not equal

Example 5 - less than x but more than y

You want to count cells where value is less than 40 but more than 15. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"<"&40)-COUNTIF(C2:C10,"<="&15)

COUNTIF less more

Example 6 - countif plus countif

You want to count cells where value is greater than 40 plus less than 15. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">"&40)+COUNTIF(C2:C10,"<"&15)

COUNTIF less plus more

Example 7 - count cells containing string of text

You want to count cells which contain REPORT text. Cells are in C column. Use asterisk in your formula. Asterisk replaces any other signs.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"*REPORT*")

COUNTIF contains string of text

Example 8 - count cells beginning with string of text

You want to count cells which begin REPORT text. Cells are in C column. Use asterisk in your formula. Asterisk replaces any other signs.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"REPORT*")

Example 9 - count cells ending with string of text

You want to count cells which end RT text. Cells are in C column. Use asterisk in your formula. Asterisk replaces any other signs.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"*RT")

COUNTIF end string of text

Example 10 - count cells ending with string of text and contains 6 letters

You want to count cells which end RT text and contains 6 letters. Cells are in C column. Use question mark in your formula. Question mark replaces one sign.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"????RT")

COUNTIF end string of text

Example 11 - count cells containing any text

You want to count cells which contain any text. Cells are in C column. Use asterisk in your formula. Asterisk replaces any other signs.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"*")

Example 12 - count cells not containing any text

You want to count cells which not contain any text. Cells are in C column. Use asterisk in your formula. Asterisk replaces any other signs. <> means not equal to.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,"<>"&"*")

COUNTIF not contain text

Example 13 - greater than or equal to value from cell

You want to count cells where value is greater than or equal to value from cell C12. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">="&C12)

Example 14 - greater than value from cell

You want to count cells where value is greater than value from cell C12. Cells are in C column.

The formula is =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">"&C12)

COUNTIF greater than cell value

Now you know how to use COUNTIF function in Excel. You know also many COUNIF formulas to use in your business cases.

Further reading: 
Countifs function 
COUNTIF for non-empty cells 
How to countif cells with partial match?

COUNTIF function