Count if cells contain a specific text in Excel and Google Sheets
=COUNTIF(A2:A7,"*apple*") // criteria within formula
=COUNTIF(A:A,"*"&C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference
=COUNTIF(A2:A7,"*apple*") // criteria within formula
=COUNTIF(A:A,"*"&C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference
=COUNTIF(A2:A7,"*apple*") // criteria within formula
=COUNTIF(A:A,"*"&C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference
A2:A6 = data range
"*apple*" = criteria
Wildcard: The * character allows for any number (including zero) of other characters to take its place.
💡 In this example, it’s used to find all cells that include the text "apple". This search is not case-sensitive, so "apple" is considered the same as "Apple" or "APPLE".
=COUNTIF(A2:A7,"*apple*") // criteria within formula
=COUNTIF(A:A,"*"&C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference
A2:A6 = data range
"*apple*" = criteria
Wildcard: The * character allows for any number (including zero) of other characters to take its place.
💡 In this example, it’s used to find all cells that include the text "apple". This search is not case-sensitive, so "apple" is considered the same as "Apple" or "APPLE".