How to sum a column of names

**michaelas** · 05-13-2008, 08:18 PM

If I have a column of names, how do I add the total number of people (names) at the bottom. The idea is that there will be several columns, (eg. full time, part time, on leave, etc).
Thanks - hope I'm posting to the right section!

I've attached a screenshot to demonstrate what I'm looking for.http://www.excelforum.com/attachment...1&d=1210724019
Excel Test.jpg

**davesexcel** · 05-13-2008, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by michaelas

If I have a column of names, how do I add the total number of people (names) at the bottom. The idea is that there will be several columns, (eg. full time, part time, on leave, etc).
Thanks - hope I'm posting to the right section!

I've attached a screenshot to demonstrate what I'm looking for.http://www.excelforum.com/attachment...1&d=1210724019
Excel Test.jpg

=COUNTA(A1:A7)
will count the items in the range A1:A7

**michaelas** · 05-13-2008, 10:47 PM

That returns #NAME? instead of a number.

**davesexcel** · 05-14-2008, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by michaelas

That returns #NAME? instead of a number.

Why is that?
Are you using a different language?
The error shown usually means excel does not recognize the function..

**michaelas** · 05-14-2008, 10:56 AM

I just got it. (!) I assumed that "COUNTA" referred to "Column A" in your example. I therefore typed in "CountB" since I was tallying the names in Column B on my sheet. I switched to "CountA" and there it was!

Oh well...

** One other question, if you don't mind. Using the same example, how would I calculate, eg., how many "Ricks" there are under the Heading "Occasional" - let's say there were thirty names or more in the list.

Thanks much for your help!