Count a Specific Status in Google Sheets with COUNTIF
Compare exact status counts with contains-text matches.
Download practice data · CSVStart the exerciseWatch the tutorial
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Import at A1. Put the formula in E2: expect 3. Compare =COUNTIF(A2:A8,"*Done*") in E3: expect 4. COUNTIF ignores letter case and counts matching cells, not every word occurrence.
=COUNTIF(A2:A8,"Done")Detailed steps
- 1. Choose your status range
Our statuses are in A two through A eight. Leave the header out. Click E two for the count, keeping your original list intact.
- 2. Match the complete cell
Enter COUNTIF with A two through A eight as the range, then Done in quotation marks as the criterion. Press Enter. The result is three.
- 3. Compare a contains match
Add a star before and after Done to count cells containing that text. This gives four because Done later now matches too. It counts matching cells, not individual word occurrences.
- 4. Check what you really mean
Choose exact matching for a complete status. A contains match can include unintended phrases such as Not done. COUNTIF ignores letter case, so capitalization alone does not separate statuses.
- Keep the range up to date
Extend your range when adding tasks below row eight. Keep status labels consistent. Which status would you count: done, blocked, or waiting?
Preview the input data
| Status |
|---|
| Done |
| Waiting |
| Done |
| Blocked |
| Done later |
| Done |
| In progress |
How to open the CSV
In a blank Google Sheet choose File → Import → Upload and select the downloaded CSV. Use comma as the separator. Start at A1 unless the exercise specifies another location. CSV contains input data; add formulas and controls using the steps above. Files are hosted directly here and require no shared personal Drive document.
Fictional demo data. Formulas use English function names and commas between arguments. Other spreadsheet locales may require semicolons. Check date recognition after importing.