COUNTA error in Excel VBA

[Wei]

I have a column which store variables, I need to know how many variables in
the column with VBA, however, I cannot get it.
column A
John
..
Jason
..
Eric
...

I tried the following commands:
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Dim a As Integer
a="=COUNTA(A:A)"
For ii=1 to a
..
..
..
Next ii
..
..
..
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The return of a is always 1, can anyone help me?I just begin to learn VBA.
Thanks!
Wei

 

[JW]

Try a=worksheetfunction.CountA("A:A")

 

[Wei]

I just figured it out
a=Application.CountA(Range("A:A"))
Thanks!
Wei