Count the number of Xs in a cell

[Manny74]

Hello All,

I need a formula that will allow me to count the number of Xs in a cell....The total Xs should be 5, but when I use the formula, COUNTA(B2:M2) , it counts 3.... I tried COUNTIF(B2:M2,"X") but it also counted only 3....

What formula can I use to count the number of Xs in each cell?



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[TD][/TD]
[TD]A[/TD]
[TD] B[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]E[/TD]
[TD]F[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[TD]H[/TD]
[TD]I[/TD]
[TD]J[/TD]
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[TD]L[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
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[TD]Shift[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
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[TR]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]7 AM[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]XXX[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]X[/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD] [/TD]
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[TD]X[/TD]
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[mikerickson]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

Try
=SUMPRODUCT(LEN(B2:M2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE(B2:M2,"x","")))

 

[Manny74]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

I tried it, but got 5...So it worked, thanks!
But is there a simpler formula to use?
I was hoping to keep it simple for my employees

 

[mikerickson]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

That's pretty much as simple as I can get it.
If there is a maximum number of X's in a cell you could use something like =COUNTIF(B2:M2,"X")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XX")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XXX"), but I don't know if that is "simpler".

Also, where do the X come from. If you want to enter numbers in the cells, there is conditional formatting that will result in a DataBar to give some visual cue.

 

[Joe4]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

Your could create your own User Defined Function in VBA to do it. Then, they would just need to use the function you created.
For example, if we created the Function and named it CountX, then they would just use the formula:
=CountX(B2:M2)

You can either create that function in VBA in the exact workbook they will be using, or you could create it as part of an Add-In.
If it is in the workbook, then they just need to be sure to use that particular workbook, and enable VBA for that workbook.
If created as part of an Add-In, then they would need to install the Add-In on the computer.

Along with Mike's formula, those are your options for making it simple for your users.

 

[mikerickson]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

Similar to Joe4's suggestion, you could also use Named Formulas.

If you want the sum of X's from row 2 in a cell. Select that cell and define the name

Name: COUNTXS
RefersTo: =SUMPRODUCT(LEN($B2:$M2)-LEN(SUBSTITUTE($B2:$M2,"x","")))

(note the mix of absolute and relative addressing)

Then, when you put =COUNTXS in that cell it will return the number of x's in B2:M2
Drag the formula down one row and it will return the x's from B3:M3, etc.

 

[Manny74]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

The X represents the number of times we are using restraints on clients.
I thought about using numbers, but that would mean I'd have to retrain several, several staff members to use number instead of Xs.....
Hmmm I am having trouble with that formula =COUNTIF(B2:M2,"X")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XX")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XXX")
Let me try again....

 

[Manny74]

I see what it's doing...
When I use this formula:

=COUNTIF(B2:M2,"X")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XX")+COUNTIF(B2:M2,"XXX")

It counts the number of cells with 1 X, 2 Xs & 3 Xs...

But it wont the number of Xs in each cell.....

 

[Joe4]

But it wont the number of Xs in each cell.....

Use Mike's original formula to get the total number of X's.
Note that if the "X"s are all upper case, you will need to adjust his formula to look for "X" instead of "x".

 

[Manny74]

Re: How to count the number of Xs in a cell

That is another good idea...
I have MS Excel 2013, so how would I create a user defined function in VBA?