Basic Excel help for beinnger

[pscoln1]

Is there anyway to automatically update a spreadsheet when my client updates a different spreadsheet (within the same workbook) and on the same network.

I need to have a COUNT function to add up the total number of comments. But these comments are long strings and the count function doesnt work. Anyone have any suggestions. I figure I could use a macro but I have no idea how to use them. So any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Paul

[ernestgoh]

hi u can try a countif function

=COUNTIF(D17:D21,"<>")

"<>" will count the cells that are not empty.

thanks.

[Jay]

ernestgoh wrote:
> hi u can try a countif function
>
> =COUNTIF(D17:D21,"<>")
>
> "<>" will count the cells that are not empty.
>
> thanks.
>
>

Erm, the above function will count the number of cells containing <>.
Not what the OP asked for. It should read:

=COUNTIF(D17:D21,"<>""")

Or an easier way of counting cells that aren't empty would be:

=COUNTA(D17:D21)

As the purpose of COUNTA is to count non-empty cells, no condition is
required. Whereas, the COUNT formula requires the <>"" which checks that
the cell is not equal to an empty string "". Although, as this condition
itself has to be in inverted commas, you end up with the clunky "<>"""

HTH,

Jay