Simple Google Sheets (Excel) Formula Functions
I love spreadsheets. In fact, I'm a spreadsheet geek. For the start of this month's tech tips, I thought I would share a simple spreadsheet formula that I used this week. I used it to determine if teachers had completed a form that they were supposed to complete. I have used it in the past to tally the number of responses given or to count items listed in an inventory.
The formula function is called COUNTIF. This works in Excel and in Google Sheets. The concept behind countif is that it will COUNT the number of items in a range of cells, IF it contains the given search criteria. For example,
=COUNTIF(B1:B100,"Michaels")
You don't have to type the criterion in, it can also be a cell reference, such as
=COUNTIF(B1:B100,A1)
or it can be a mathematical expression as shown in the sample to the right. There are a variety of reasons to use the COUNTIF formula. You may want to know
- how many times particular criteria shows up in the range of cells
- if criteria exists within the range of cells
I have included a link with some sample data to give you an idea of how this might work. Keep in mind the sample data combines a couple of ideas which might not always be seen together. I combined them in order to show you the data with one link.
Please comment or e-mail me if you have questions or want to share ways you use the COUNTIF formula. Remember, it's not what you know, but what you SHARE!
