applying a formula to the result from a formula

[Biffo28]

Apologies if this is a no-brainer but I am new to using excel!

I have a cell which counts the number of students in a class, it does this by counting their names in a row using =COUNTIF(A2:A40,"*" ) . This then gives me the number total of students in the class - displayed in the cell containing the formula, lets say that was A1. My problem arises when I want to do a further calculation based on this result (numbers of students), - if i then create a formula in another cell - say H5*A1, the calculation always ignores the A1 cell and just shows the value of H5. I guess this is because excel doesn't see the "result" of the calculation in A1.

Can anyone help me on how I can fix this?

Many thanks in advance,

Biffo

[FDibbins]

Hi Biffo and welcome to the forum

Actually all excel does see, is the result of a/any formula. This should not make a difference, but instead of using countif(), you just use a simple countA() - it counts all non-blanks cells.

what you typical values be in A1 and H5?

Any chance of uploading a sample workbook for me to look at (minus any sensitive info)? Its easier if we can see what you are working with, rather than try and guess what the problem might be.

To attach a file to your post,
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[Ron Coderre]

• Make sure cell A1 is formatted as a number
...Right-click on it...select: Format_cells...choose a number format...click: OK

This formula counts the number of non-blank cells in the referenced range
• A1: =COUNTA(A2:A240)

• Make sure the formula you want to use is in a cell formatted as a number (see above)
• Enter your formula in that cell....example: =A1*H5

Does that help?

[Biffo28]

Hi Ron and FDib,

Thanks for your very prompt reply, I followed your guidance, changed the cells to number format and used the CountA formula and its working now!

many thanks for your help with this!

Cheers,

Grant (Biffo)