How do I find the number of instances of a text entry?

Question

Hello,
I have a spreadsheet and the cells have either a text entry or numerical entry.
I am trying to work out how to write a formula to total the number of cells which have a particular text entry.
Any help would be apprectiated. Thank you.

Answer 1

=COUNTIF(test-array, condition)
'test-array' is the range of cells you want to test
'condition' must be expressed as a text string. To find the count of "example text" on the table named "Data", you could use either of the formulas below (on a separate table). Both counts are of 'all columns of "Data"'. The counts include items in the Header column (Column 1 of Data), but do NOT include items in the Header row (Row 1).
In the single cell table, "Count 1" the search text is stated as a literal in the formula:
=COUNTIF(Data :: $A:$D, "=example text")
In the two cell table, the search text (other text), is set in the top cell, A1, and that cell is referenced in the formula in A2:
=COUNTIF(Data :: $A:$D, "="&A1)
Note that because of the omission of Header row cells, the formulas could be placed in a Header Row cell on the main table ("Data"), with the search value also placed in a Header row cell on that table. The formulas in this case would not include the "Data::" part of the 'test-array' argument.
Regards,
Barry