Simplifying formula

[m.cain]

Hello,

I have created a 2 formulas that I know work, but was wondering whether
anyone could suggest a simpler one that could do the job for both.
Formula 2 is based upon the answer from Formula 1. The answer from
Formula 2 is the one I want to keep.

column F contains text values including the value "N*"
row 5 contains the first entry in the list
Cell H5 contains the 1st formula: IF((F5="N*"),(1),"")
Cell I5 contains the 2nd formula:
=IF(((SUM(H$4:$H5))=(SUM(H$4:$H4))),"",(SUM(H$4:$H5)))

Thanks for your help!

 

[Guest]

I'm assuming that this only operates as a downward list? Only the locked
references ($4 etc) create some interesting cumulative numbers when dragged
down and right.

It looks like you're assigning a 1 if N* is present in a hidden(?) column
and then building a cumulative total.

If I'm right then you can delete the formulae in column H and your formula
in I5 is:

=IF(F5<>"N*","",COUNTIF($F$5:F5,"N*"))

HTH

Giz