What it does
COUNTIF counts cells that meet one condition.
Syntax or pattern
=COUNTIF(range, criteria)✅
5 practical examples
1
Count completed tasks
Count rows marked Done.
=COUNTIF(Tasks[Status],"Done")Simple status counting.
2
Count values above target
Count sales above 1000.
=COUNTIF(Sales[Amount],">1000")Comparison criteria go in quotes.
3
Count selected category
Use a category selected in a cell.
=COUNTIF(Products[Category],F2)Dynamic criteria make dashboards easier.
4
Count blanks
Count missing owner cells.
=COUNTIF(Tasks[Owner],"")Useful for data quality checks.
5
Count text containing a word
Count items that include “pro”.
=COUNTIF(Products[Name],"*pro*")Wildcards match partial text.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Selecting ranges with different sizes.
- Using text values where numbers are required.
- Forgetting how blanks and hidden rows are treated.
Related Excel examples
FAQ
Can this formula use Excel Tables?
Yes. Structured references often make summary formulas easier to read.