by The tutorial explains how to use COUNTIFS and COUNTIF formulas with multiple criteria in Excel based on AND as well as OR logic. You will find a number of examples for different data types - numbers, dates, text, wildcard characters, non-blank cells and more.
Of all Excel functions, COUNTIFS and COUNTIF are probably most often mixed up because they look very much alike and both are purposed for counting cells based on the specified criteria.
The difference is that COUNTIF is designed for counting cells with a single condition in one range, whereas COUNTIFS can evaluate different criteria in the same or in different ranges. The aim of this tutorial is to demonstrate different approaches and help you choose the most efficient formula for each particular task.
Excel COUNTIFS function - syntax and usage
The Excel COUNTIFS function counts cells across multiple ranges based on one or several conditions. The function is available in Excel 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel 2007, so you can use the below examples in any Excel version.
COUNTIFS syntax
The syntax of the COUNTIFS function is as follows:
- criteria_range1 (required) - defines the first range to which the first condition (criteria1) shall be applied.
- criteria1 (required) - sets the condition in the form of a number, cell reference, text string, expression or another Excel function. The criteria defines which cells shall be counted and can be expressed as 10, "<=32", A6, "sweets".
- [criteria_range2, criteria2]… (optional) - these are additional ranges and their associated criteria. You can specify up to 127 range/criteria pairs in your formulas.
In fact, you don't have to remember the syntax of the COUNTIF function by heart. Microsoft Excel will display the function's arguments as soon as you start typing; the argument you are entering at the moment is highlighted in bold.
Excel COUNTIFS - things to remember!
- You can use the COUNTIFS function in Excel to count cells in a single range with a single condition as well as in multiple ranges with multiple conditions. If the latter, only those cells that meet all of the specified conditions are counted.
- Each additional range must have the same number of rows and columns as the first range (criteria_range1 argument).
- Both contiguous and non-contiguous ranges are allowed.
- If the criteria is a reference to an empty cell, the COUNTIFS function treats it as a zero value (0).
- You can use the wildcard characters in criteria - asterisk (*) and question mark (?). See this example for full details.
How to use COUNTIFS and COUNTIF with multiple criteria in Excel
Below you will find a number of formula examples that demonstrate how to use the COUNTIFS and COUNTIF functions in Excel to evaluate multiple conditions.
How to count cells with multiple criteria (AND logic)
This scenario is the easiest one, since the COUNTIFS function in Excel is designed to count only those cells for which all of the specified conditions are TRUE. We call it the AND logic, because Excel's AND function works this way.
Formula 1. COUNTIFS formula with multiple criteria
Suppose you have a product list like shown in the screenshot below. You want to get a count of items that are in stock (value in column B is greater than 0) but have not been sold yet (value is column C is equal to 0).
The task can be accomplished by using this formula:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B7,">0", C2:C7,"=0")
And the count is 2 ("Cherries" and "Lemons"):
Formula 2. COUNTIFS formula with two criteria
When you want to count items with identical criteria, you still need to supply each criteria_range / criteria pair individually.
For example, here's the right formula to count items that have 0 both in column B and column C:
=COUNTIFS($B$2:$B$7,"=0", $C$2:$C$7,"=0")
This COUNTIFS formula returns 1 because only "Grapes" have "0" value in both columns.
Using a simpler formula with a single criteria_range like COUNTIFS(B2:C7,"=0") would yield a different result - the total count of cells in the range B2:C7 containing a zero (which is 4 in this example).
How to count cells with multiple criteria (OR logic)
As you have seen in the above examples, counting cells that meet all of the specified criteria is easy because the COUNTIFS function is designed to work this way.
But what if you want to count cells for which at least one of the specified conditions is TRUE, i.e. based on the OR logic? Overall, there are two ways to do this - by adding up several COUNTIF formulas or using a SUM COUNTIFS formula with an array constant.
Formula 1. Add up two or more COUNTIF or COUNITFS formulas
In the table below, supposing you want to count orders with the "Cancelled" and "Pending" status. To have it doen, you can simply write 2 regular Countif formulas and add up the results:
=COUNTIF($C$2:$C$11,"Cancelled") + COUNTIF($C$2:$C$11,"Pending")
In case each of the functions is supposed to evaluate more than one condition, use COUNTIFS instead of COUNTIF. For example, to get the count of "Cancelled" and "Pending" orders for "Apples" use this formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $C$2:$C$11,"Cancelled") + COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $C$2:$C$11,"Pending")
Formula 2. SUM COUNTIFS with an array constant
In situations when you have to evaluate a lot of criteria, the above approach is not the best way to go because your formula would grow too big in size. To perform the same calculations in a more compact formula, list all of your criteria in an array constant, and supply that array to the criteria argument of the COUNTIFS function. To get the total count, embed COUNTIFS inside the SUM function, like this:
In our sample table, to count orders with the status "Cancelled" or "Pending" or "In transit", the formula would go as follows:
=SUM(COUNTIFS($C$2:$C$11, {"cancelled", "pending", "in transit"}))
In a similar manner, you can count cells based on two or more criteria_range / criteria pairs. For instance, to get the number of "Apples" orders that are "Cancelled" or "Pending" or "In transit", use this formula:
=SUM(COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11,"apples",$C$2:$C$11,{"cancelled","pending","in transit"}))
You can find a few more ways to count cells with OR logic in this tutorial: Excel COUNTIF and COUNTIFS with OR conditions.
How to count numbers between 2 specified numbers
By and large, COUNTIFS formulas for numbers fall into 2 categories - based on several conditions (explained in the above examples) and between the two values you specify. The latter can be accomplished in two ways - by using the COUNTIFS function or by subtracting one COUNTIF from another.
Formula 1. COUNTIFS to count cells between two numbers
To find out how many numbers between 5 and 10 (not including 5 and 10) are contained in cells C2 through C10, use this formula:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C10,">5", C2:C10,"<10")
To include 5 and 10 in the count, use the "greater than or equal to" and "less than or equal to" operators:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B10,">=5", B2:B10,"<=10")
Formula 2. COUNTIF formulas to count numbers between X and Y
The same result can be achieved by subtracting one Countif formula from another. The first one counts how many numbers are greater than the lower bound value (5 in this example). The second formula returns the count of numbers that are greater than the upper bound value (10 in this case). The difference between the first and second number is the result you are looking for.
- =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">5")-COUNTIF(C2:C10,">=10") - counts how many numbers greater than 5 and less than 10 are in the range C2:C10. This formula will return the same count as shown in the screenshot above.
- =COUNTIF(C2:C10, ">=5")-COUNTIF(C2:C10, ">10") - the formula counts how many numbers between 5 and 10 are in the range C2:C10, including 5 and 10.
How to use cell references in COUNTIFS formulas
When using logical operators such as ">", "<", "<=" or ">=" together with cell references in your Excel COUNTIFS formulas, remember to enclose the operator in "double quotes" and
add an ampersand (&) before a cell reference to construct a text string.
In a sample dataset below, let's count "Apples" orders with amount greater than $200. With criteria_range1 in cells A2:A11 and criteria_range2 in B2:B11, you can use this formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $B$2:$B$11, ">200")
Or, you can input your criteria values in certain cells, say F1 and F2, and reference those cells in your formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, $F$1, $B$2:$B$11, ">"&$F$2)
Please notice the use of absolute cell references both in the criteria and criteria_range arguments, which prevents the formula from being broken when copied to other cells.
For more information about the use of an ampersand in COUNTIF and COUNTIFS formulas, please see Excel COUNTIF - frequently asked questions.
How to use COUNTIFS with wildcard characters
In Excel COUNTIFS formulas, you can use the following wildcard characters:
- Question mark (?) - matches any single character, use it to count cells starting and/or ending with certain characters.
- Asterisk (*) - matches any sequence of characters, you use it to count cells containing a specified word or a character(s) as part of the cell's contents.
Tip. If you want to count cells with an actual question mark or asterisk, type a tilde (~) before an asterisk or question mark.
Now let's see how you can use a wildcard char in real-life COUNTIFS formulas in Excel. Suppose, you have a list of projects in column A. You wish to know how many projects are already assigned to someone, i.e. have any name in column B. And because we are learning how to use the COUNTIFS function with multiple criteria, let's add a second condition - the End Date in column D should also be set.
Here is the formula that works a treat:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B10,"*",D2:D10,"<>"&""))
Please note, you cannot use a wildcard character in the 2nd criteria because you have dates rather that text values in column D. That is why, you use the criteria that finds non-blank cells: "<>"&""
COUNTIFS and COUNTIF with multiple criteria for dates
The COUNTIFS and COUNTIF formulas you use for dates are very much similar to the above formulas for numbers.
Example 1. Count dates in a specific date range
To count the dates that fall in a certain date range, you can also use either a COUNTIFS formula with two criteria or a combination of two COUNTIF functions.
For example, the following formulas count the number of dates in cells C2 through C10 that fall between 1-Jun-2014 and 7-Jun-2014, inclusive:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, "<=6/7/2014")
=COUNTIF(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014") - COUNTIF(C2:C9, ">6/7/2014")
Example 2. Count dates with multiple conditions
In the same manner, you can use a COUNTIFS formula to count the number of dates in different columns that meet 2 or more conditions. For instance, the below formula will find out how many products were purchased after the 20th of May and delivered after the 1st of June:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">5/1/2014", D2:D9, ">6/7/2014")
Example 3. Count dates with multiple conditions based on the current date
You can use Excel's TODAY() function in combination with COUNTIF to count dates based on the current date.
For example, the following COUNTIF formula with two ranges and two criteria will tell you how many products have already been purchased but not delivered yet.
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, "<"&TODAY(), D2:D9, ">"&TODAY())
This formula allows for many possible variations. For instance, you can tweak it to count how many products were purchased more than a week ago and are not delivered yet:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, "<="&TODAY()-7, D2:D9, ">"&TODAY())
This is how you count cells with multiple criteria in Excel. I hope you will find these examples helpful. Anyway, I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!
2039 comments
Hi Svetlana,
Just mailed you my sheet can you help me with that please
Just mailed you my sheet can you help me with that please
Hi,
I'm trying to get a count of dates that are due but on condition that they are listed as being follow up. My countif for follow up works fine {=countif(Q2:Q,"*up")}, and my countif for overdue dates works fine {="Follow up (due = "&countif(J2:J,"<="&today()&" )")}, but no matter what I do I can't manage to combine them. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanx.
Turns out that the was a bracket in the wrong place:
="Follow up (due = "&countif(J2:J,"<="&today())&" )"
works very nicely.
Hello,
Problem I cannot seem solve.
Looking for a formula that counts occurrences of a value IF they occur after a certain date.
This works fine with SUMIF e.g. =SUMIF($O$2:$IU$2;"<=" & TODAY();O26:IU26) Where the sum of numbers after a certain date are returned.
DATASET looks like:
DATES : 25/10|26/10|27/10|28/10|29/10...
TASK A done by: A | B | A | A | C
TASK B done by: B | A | B | C | A
I want to know how many times A, B and C occur after TODAY...
Thanks a lot for your much appreciated help!
Floris
Hello Floris,
Please specify how many tasks and how many A/B/C/ for each task you have. Are the dates sorted in ascending order? Do you want to get the result on the same sheet or on a new one?
Anyway, I believe the best solution for this task is to use a VBA macro.
Hi Swetlana,
Hope you doing well.
I am having difficulty with formulas of multiple critearia.
My formulas below is worked with me.
=Countif(ACTL!B3:B50001;A$1;ACTL!$E$2:$E$50000;B$2;ACTL!$G$2:$G$50000;$B7)
I want to add one more criteria which is date period.My Dates coloumn is starting from C1 till C1000.
The target date is at B1(15oct2014)
How can I continue to my formulas which will give me the total after 15Oct2014.
If you can help me on it will be appreciate.
Thanks & Regards.
Utkan
Hi Utkan,
All ranges in COUNTIFS formulas should have the same number of rows and columns. Most likely, you need this formula:
=COUNTIFS(ACTL!B3:B50001;A$1;ACTL!$E$2:$E$50000;B$2;ACTL!$G$2:$G$50000;$B7, ACTL!$C$2:$C$50000;$B$1)
Hi,
I have a data in 2 rows 1st row contains date, and in the 2nd row i have comment codes, i want the latest comment code and latest date in a separate cell in the same row.
Example:
1st Row: 1-oct, 2-oct, 3-oct, 4-oct, 5-oct, 6-oct, 7-oct,.....
2nd Row: ASDF DSFA FGHJ WERT, SDFA .....
I want the latest comment and date at the end of row for each row.
I hope you understand the requirement...please help me.
Prasad
Hello,
I am not sure I can follow you. If you can send your sample workbook to our support team at support@ablebits.com, we will try to help.
Dear Mam ,
I will appreciate to resolve my problem.
i have different date in column which i required the count where dates is mentioned and rest blank not count .
Please help me
Center Revised Date 2nd PM Plan Date 3rd PM Plan Date Total Count
Bannu-1 1-Oct-14 1-Oct-14 Blank ?(Answers should be 2)
Hello Muhammad,
You can use this formula to count all non-blank cells:
=COUNTIF(B2:F2,"*")
To count only dates and numbers greater than 0, please use the following array formula (you have to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to complete it):
{=SUM(--NOT(ISERROR(DATEVALUE(TEXT(A2:F2,"mm/dd/yyy")))))}
Where A2:F2 is the range you want to count.
Hi,
Is there a way to have a total price adjusted based on the day they typed a quantity into a cell? Lets say price goes up on oct 24 for apples, from $10 to $15. Is there a way to have it calculate the order of 2 apples on Oct 23 (before the 24th), but also calculate the total if they order the apples on the 25th (after the 24th)? If they didn't type in the quantity till after the advanced priced date. This has to be real time.
Thanks, Ryan
Hi,
I am counting up unique string values in a range of cells in a column. Tow of the values are "Uses Look Up" and "Value in table". To attempt to get a sum of the counts of the 2, I set up the COUNTIFS functions as follows:
=COUNTIFS(F1:F128,"=Uses Look Up",F1:F128,"=Value in table")
The value retuned is 0, however, when I count them separately the count is 75. Why did the COUNTIFS function return 0?
Thanks, Carlo
Hello,
I have an excel file with 2 worksheets: the first worksheet contains 10 columns and 10 rows with random values (A, B, C, D, E).
I need a formula in the second worksheet to count the number of times that value "B" appears after value "A" in the first worksheet.
It's really important and urgent, if you can answer this you would save me a big headache.
Thank you
I am trying to create a formula that will give the total number of cells within a range that contain a letter. The formula I currently have is: =COUNTIFS(C4:AC4,"=L",C4:AC4,"=F",C4:AC4,"=T"), however it is ot correct because within this range of cells three of them contain each a letter which are the ones in the formula and my total shows as 0 instead of 3.
What should I change to get it corrected or would it be possible to even have such formula?
Hi, is it possible to count B4:D200 (multiple column) and a column of uncategorized age to be counted in a column of categorized age?
thanks,
Leo
Hi Leo,
Sorry, I am not sure I can follow you. If you can post a sample of your data, I will try to help.
Hi,
I want the cell range in =COUNTIFS to be variable, ie. it might be b4:b60 on one occasion, then with a different set of data it might be b4:b70.
Can the COUNTIFs formula pull the range in from another cell if the range is entered there?
Thanks,
Bernie
Hi ,
By having the Alphabets (A-Z) & numbers consider from (0-9) need the combination of these only with 2 characters alone eg:
AA
AB
AC....
BA...
A1
A2...
Could you please give an excel formulae or as a vba macro code to display in an excel.
Please drop me an email.
Thanks,
Rajamani
Hi,
I have a project involving several varying length lists of email addresses which are overlapping, meaning there are duplicate values between the various lists. Additionally, the list order from left to right is important. Each list is an adjacent column in a single worksheet.
I would like to be able to identify (highlight via conditional formatting) the duplicate values in each successive list (column) occuring in the preceding list(s) to the left of column I'm evaluating, working my way to the nth column all the way to the right in my worksheet. For example, evaluating column B, highlight all cells where there is a duplicate value somewhere in column A. Evaluating column C, highlight all cells where there is a duplicate value anywhere in columns A or B. And so on up to my last column (20) which will be evaluated for matching values anywhere in the other 19 preceding columns to the left. Note that there are no duplicate values within any single list.
Is there a formula I can use to achieve this goal? Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!
Andrew
I'm trying to calculate how many times a particular staff is scheduled to work during the week. This staff can be assigned to work in a different location so she can be listed in a column (to specify the day of the week) and rows are the location. The only problem is that I would only be needing to add two to five cells in a column, then another few cells from another column. How would I need to indicate that I'm adding another command?
I am working with multiple workbooks, about 30. Each workbook has the names of associates that performed different tasks in it. I am trying to count how many times each persons name is used in all the workbooks.
(Ex. Workbook 1 - Jane is used twice, Bill three times. Workbook 2 - Jane is used 4 times, Bill 1 time. Jane's total would 6 and Bill's would be 4 within two workbooks. Can the COUNTIF or COUNTIFS functions acomplish this in an easy way?
Thanks!
Hello Svetlana!
Good day!
Please help me, I'm a begginer on Excel. I have an exam today that may include below; (see data and scenario below)
(Scenario: Need to count the total no of landline nos, I use =COUNTIFS(DATA!D5:D135,">1") formula however it only gives me 20 total counts, where there should be a total of 21 inlcuding 3401031 LOC. 213. What formula should I use then? Please :) )
DATA:
LANDLINE NO.
325163952
2691919
4222239
323445488
2623224
324161040
2314987
4898389
2545410
2735652
2358818
4206340
2382144
4149143
4104661
3463201
2366113
322731025
2694647
3401031 LOC. 213
2339450
I need to track escalation in certain readings.
For example, I have 2 Columns, A and B; I need to count how many times column B is greater than column A when column B is greater or equal to 10.
Sample Data:
A B
5 8
10 15
14 11
18 22
9 10
From above, the answer/count should be 3
Thanks
Your help is great appreciated
You can use the following array formula (remember to press Ctrl + Shift + Enter):
{=SUM((B2:B6>=10)*(B2:B6>A2:A6))}
Thanks a world.
You're a live saver.
I am trying to take 2 tables - Galaxy Theatre and Empire Theatre. Each table contains a list of the theatres and the gendre of movie playing in the theatre. I need to count the number of horror movies playing in each theatre (provide a total for each theatre) using one equation. Is this possible?
The question suggests using an indrect to help, but I cannot get the Indirect function to work with countif.
Hello Nancy,
You can use the following formula to sum the results:
=CountIf(GalaxyTheatre[Genre],"Horror") + CountIf(EmprireTheatre[Genre],"Horror")