quantifying repeating names

**Cashew** · 11-23-2012, 12:02 AM

I have a lot of name data to sort through. I'm trying to figure out how many times each individual's name appears in the spreadsheet. The only thing I've thought of so far is to alphabetize the list and count, but given the hundreds of entries counting will take a while.

Is there a formula I could use that would 1) take the first name in the list 2) check to see how many times it appears 3) put that name and number into a new list 4) then move on to the next name in the original list and repeat?

I've attached a small sample of the data. The full list includes other info, like last name, which is what I'd be sorting by I think.

Thanks all!

**TMS** · 11-23-2012, 12:07 AM

I suggest that you use a Pivot Table.

Regards, TMS

**TheExcelphile** · 11-23-2012, 12:14 AM

Hi Cashew!

I've uploaded a workbook with two options for your problem, you can use whichever is suitable for your needs.

In the first option, it simply displays a count of the number of times a particular name appears.

In the second option, it shows the number of times a name has appeared so far in your list.

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I hope this is what you were looking for.

Don't forget to click the little star to the left of this post if you feel I helped!

**Cashew** · 11-26-2012, 11:59 PM

Ooh, thank you to both. Pivot tables sound interesting and I'll have to give them a look. At first glance the workbook sounds like it'll solve my problem nicely. I'll take a look at the details soon.

Thank you!