formula to count a specific word only once in each cell in a column

i have a column where i am counting the word HUD in each cell. unfortunately in some cells it can appear 2 or 3 times. is there a way to count it only once per cell (if it occurs of course)?
i currently am using =COUNTIF(A:A,"*HUD*"). i am very new at this. any help is very much appreciated.

Originally Posted by daddylonglegs

Your current formula already does that, e.g.

=COUNTIF(A1:A100,"*HUD*")

....will nevre give you a value > 100 because there are only 100 cells in A1:A100

i guess i wasn't clear enough. my current formula does work, yes. however, if the word HUD appears 2 or 3 times in the same cell i only want it to count that instance as 1 as opposed to 2 or 3. are you following me?

hi kevin,
i tried it but there are no results. it's blank (but no errors!).

yes, it is. perhaps i was reading the results wrong at the time then? i appreciate both of your help on this!

i think i have figured out what the problem is. if i have my formula searching for "TIL", it's pulling until, still, apparently any word w/ TIL in it. the only results i want would contain the exact words i'm looking for. i'm using the same formula as above. is it possible to modify it for exactly just those letters alone? =COUNTIF(A:A,"*TIL*")

i think you've got it with =countif(a:a,"* til *"). the count went down a good bit. i don't have time today to count them by hand for accuracy, but right off it looks good.
thank you very much popipo

it appears to have worked daddylonglegs. until is no longer being counted! i also tried typing Tillerman in one of the cells and it did not count it either.
thanks for the help all!

ok, i understand what you mean now. do you want me to email it to you?

popipipo, =COUNTIF(A:A,"til *")+COUNTIF(A:A,"* til")+COUNTIF(A:A,"til")+COUNTIF(A:A,"* til *") comes back w/ "true".

daddylonglegs, here's a smalll sample of that column:

The application date on the HOEPA Form is 10/29/12. Unable to locate the GFE that was disclosed within 3 business days of this date. RESPMIGFE001 - PACKAGE TYPE: Respa Conditions, DOCUMENT TYPE: Good Faith Estimate

HUD 92900-B Important Notice to Homebuyers page 1

SRTR - Initial TIL in file is dated more than 10 days prior to application date listed on the HOEPA/HMDA form. None located as being issued within required timeframe. Please provide Initial TIL issued within 10 days of application.

RTR-The Loan Terms section of the HUD-1 comparison page does not reflect the correct value for the "Your initial amount owed for principal, interest, and any mortgage insurance is" as indicated on the Note, including the monthly mortgage insurance. Please provide the fully completed true and certified copy of the Final HUD. All pages must be provided.
SRTR-The HOEPA/HMDA Required Information form shows an application date that is the same date as the final execution date of loan documents. Please provide the correct HOEPA/HMDA form.

Misc Pre-Funding Condition(s)TIL received 2/7/13 was prelim-need signed FINAL TIL