What is the function of the COUNTIF function in Excel?

Excel COUNTIF Function

COUNTIF Function

The COUNTIF function is a premade function in Excel, which counts cells as specified.

It is typed =COUNTIF

Numbers (e.g. 90) and words (e.g. “Water”) can be specified.

How to use the =COUNTIF function:

1. Select a cell
2. Type =COUNTIF
3. Double click the COUNTIF command
4. Select a range
5. Type ,
6. Select a cell (the criteria, the value that you want to count)
7. Hit enter

Let’s see some examples!

Apply the COUNTIF function to range B2:B21, to count how many Pokemons we have in the different types:

We want the COUNTIF function to count the types of Pokemons, in the range G5:G15:

The , is typed after the range is selected, which tells the function what you are looking to count.

The COUNTIF function has successfully counted 1 Grass Pokemon, which is Victreebel (A4).

Let’s count the Water Pokemons in G6

The same steps apply

1. Select G6
2. Type =COUNTIF
3. Select B2:B21
4. Type (,)
5. Select F6 (Specifying Water as criteria)
6. Hit enter

That is great! The COUNTIF function has counted 6 Water Pokemons in B2:B21.

Let’s count the rest of the types more effectively. We want to continue the function from G6:G15. Making use of the Filling Function and Absolute References.

Step by step:

1. Double click G6
2. Lock the range references absolute (B2:B21). Type dollar signs before the columns and row. Type 4 dollar signs in total. =COUNTIF($B$2:$B$21,F6).

   Note: We want F6 to remain relative. Because we want it to move downwards. Do not add dollar signs ($) to it.

3. Hit enter
4. Fill the range G6:G15

That saved us alot of time! Good job!

A Non-Working Example

Let’s try an example that will not work

Fill G5:G15 without locking the references to see what happens.

If the references for the range are kept relative, the fill function will move the range downwards, including blank cells and missing the range where the data is.