how to ignore the numeric cells when giving formula to count cells that contains text only

Hi,
=counta(a:a) or counta(1:1) is the formula for calculating the cells that contain any entries only in row or column in excel.
This formula takes any entry, be it date or time or text or number when counting the cells in row or column.
I want to omit the numbers, cells containing numeric cells from this formula. How to modify the formula.
If suppose, i have entered 4 columns say aam amb eir eic then the formula =counta(1:1)give the answer 4 It omits the blanks . But if i add a column and include 15, or time or date, it shows 5. I want to omit the contents of numbers . How to modify. i have not included any work book.

Originally Posted by martindwilson

try
=COUNTIF(1:1,"?*")

Thank you, Very much.
For the sake of knowing. How that "?*" omits the number and all other things except text.
Additional sub question, how to ignore the text , if in the same condtion.
Thank you so much for jet speed reply