Maybe Countif? Very new to excel

[tym623]

I'm using Excel 2003 with Windows XP. I'm attempting to create VERY basic, sorted stats for a call center.

Data is captured into an excel sheet with calls sorted by different categories depending how a person logged a particular call.

For example, Caller A logs a call by selecting a Category 1, Cat. 2, 3, 4, etc. Sometimes a category 3 or 4 isn't available to be selected. So the final stats could look like this:

Category 1 - Category 2 - 8 calls
Category 1 - Category 2 - Category 3 - 12 calls.
Category 1 - Category 5 - Category 8 - 15 calls

How do I filter and sort out the top Category 2 numbers (20 calls), but avoid capturing the sums from category Category 5?

I want to avoid AutoFilter because I would like a formula to do all the work for me. Thank you in advance and I apologize if this doesn't make sense. I'll try and clarify if needed. Thanks!

 

[tym623]

I have a master list of all possible categories that a formula could go look back for if that helps. Say I could store it another sheet?

I definitely don't want anything too complex since i'm still very new and i'm sure it will just raise more questions.

You've already supplied much more than I already knew with the SUMIF formula, so if nothing else, that's a huge help.

Thanks again!

 

[SydneyGeek]

Looking at the layout of the possible totals, you may find that a pivot table gives you what you need.

Have you used pivot tables before, are are they new territory?

Denis

 

[tym623]

I have used them before, but on a very limited basis. It seems when I put this data into them, the categories don't line up as well as I'd like. I think it's just going to take some more practice with using them.

Thanks again for all of the ideas!