In this Excel training video, we’ll be showing you how to use the versatile COUNTIF function. Our focus centers on an essential data analysis task: counting non-empty cells in your spreadsheet. Through step-by-step instructions, we guide you on harnessing the power of COUNTIF to efficiently tally up cells that are not blank, providing you with a foundational skill for data management.
But the learning doesn’t stop there –- we go beyond the basics to showcase additional capabilities of the COUNTIF function by counting cells based on specific keywords or patterns. This comprehensive guide ensures that you leave with a well-rounded understanding of the COUNTIF function, empowering you to navigate Excel with precision and efficiency in your data analysis projects.
Resources
Formula to count non-empty cells:
=COUNTIF(RANGE, "<>")Change “RANGE” to any range of cells, for example: “A1:B5” or “Table1“
An asterisk * can be used to signify any character. For example, the following formula will look for any cell from A1 to B5 that contains the letter A followed by any other character.
=COUNTIF(A1:B5, "A*")Question marks ? can be used to signify any sequence of characters. For example, if you had codes in your spreadsheet, such as A10B20C30, you can use question marks to find these patterns by replacing the numbers with question marks: “A??B??C??“
=COUNTIF(A1:B5, "A??B??C??")Note: If you tried to find a sequence of characters using asterisks instead of question marks, the formula would not work as intended.