Four counting functions — each answers a different question. Here's which one to use when.
=COUNT(A2:A100)
-- Counts only cells containing numbers (and dates)
-- Ignores text, blanks, and errors=COUNTA(A2:A100)
-- Counts everything that isn't blank — numbers, text, errors
-- Use this to count rows of data regardless of data type=COUNTBLANK(A2:A100)
-- Counts blank cells
-- Useful for finding missing data=COUNTIF(range, criteria)
=COUNTIF(B2:B100, "North") count rows where B = "North"
=COUNTIF(C2:C100, ">1000") count rows where C > 1000
=COUNTIF(A2:A100, "apple*") count rows starting with "apple"=COUNTIFS(range1, criteria1, range2, criteria2, ...)
=COUNTIFS(B2:B100, "North", C2:C100, ">1000")
-- Count rows where B = "North" AND C > 1000| Function | Use when you want to count... |
|---|---|
| COUNT | Cells containing numbers only |
| COUNTA | Any non-blank cell |
| COUNTBLANK | Empty cells |
| COUNTIF | Cells matching one condition |
| COUNTIFS | Cells matching multiple conditions |
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