Counting text in a column

[Paul H]

I would like to count the text in a column, (each text would count as 1), the
column contains a simple "If" statement that will return either a name or a
blank. The text counting solutions I see in these posts also count the If
statement as 1.

 

[Bob Phillips]

=COUNTA(M2:M20)-COUNTBLANK(M2:M20)

 

[Gary''s Student]

If A1 thru A10 contain either text or formulas returning a blank, then:

=COUNTA(A1:A10)-COUNTBLANK(A1:A10)

 

[Paul H]

Gary and Bob, your solution is counting the "If" statement in the cells. I
have 1 name (Text) and 30 blank cells and your formula returns 31?

 

[Gary''s Student]

The solution the Bob & I proposed will work for a block of cells none of
which are truly empty; that is they all will have text showing or have a
formula returning a blank.

If this is not the case and the block of cells has both cells with visible
text and cells that are truly empty, then just use the COUNTA() function.

 

[Paul H]

Don't know what going on, your suggested formula doesn't work, the "If"
statements is =IF(B17=0,C18," ") the formula counts this cell even when the
results are blank, is my If statement causing the problem?

 

[Gary''s Student]

You have solved it!!!

Use:

=IF(B17=0,C18,"")

instead of:

=IF(B17=0,C18," ")

 

[David Biddulph]

Yes. Isn't it strange that COUNTBLANK and ISBLANK have different ways of
treating the empty string ""?

 

[Paul H]

Thanks Gary.

You have solved it!!!

Use:

=IF(B17=0,C18,"")

instead of:

=IF(B17=0,C18," ")