Best Formula

Annick

What is the best formula to count number of different terms (the terms being different names) within a column that does not contain a list of certain names.

Example: I want to count the number of names in the columns that does not include Bob, Anna and Joe, each names could be used multiple times within the list and each one needs to be counted as 1 or not included as 1 in the SUM.

Jason P

Hi @Annick

We use a simple count in our project sheet's summary, counts the number of projects each are assigned to =COUNTIF([Assigned To]:[Assigned To], "name")

Would this work for you?

heyjay

=COUNT(DISTINCT(column:column)) -

SUM(

IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Bob") > 0, 1, 0),

IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Anna") > 0, 1, 0),

IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Joe") > 0, 1, 0))

Explanation:

Count unique using
=COUNT(DISTINCT(column:column))

Use SUM function to calculate unwanted names.

=SUM(

IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Bob") > 0, 1, 0),

IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Anna") > 0, 1, 0),


IF(COUNTIF(column:column, "Joe") > 0, 1, 0))

Jason P

Nice, was not aware of DISTINCT, can see I was way off on understanding the question - off for another coffee…