Count cells that begin with a specific text in Excel and Google Sheets

=COUNTIF(A2:A6,"feb*") // criteria within formula

=COUNTIF(A:A,C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference

A2:A6, A:A = ranges; C6 = criteria

Check below for a detailed explanation with pictures and how to use formulas in Excel and Google Sheets.

Count cells that begin with a specific text in Excel

How to count cells that begin with a specific text - non-case sensitive in Excel?
Count cells that begin with a specific text in Excel

COUNT CELLS THAT BEGIN WITH A SPECIFIC TEXT — EXCEL FORMULA AND EXAMPLE

  1. =COUNTIF(A2:A6,"feb*") // criteria within formula

  2. =COUNTIF(A:A,C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference

    • A2:A6 = data range

    • "feb*" = criteria and must start with feb (non-case sensitive)

    • * asterisk explanation

      • a* = "a" at start

      • *b = "b" at end

Count cells that begin with a specific text Google Sheets

How to count cells that begin with a specific text - non-case sensitive in Google Sheets?
Count cells that begin with a specific text Google Sheets

COUNT CELLS THAT BEGIN WITH A SPECIFIC TEXT — GOOGLE SHEETS FORMULA AND EXAMPLE

  1. =COUNTIF(A2:A6,"feb*") // criteria within formula

  2. =COUNTIF(A:A,C6&"*") // criteria as a cell reference

    • A2:A6 = data range

    • "feb*" = criteria and must start with feb (non-case sensitive)

    • * asterisk explanation

      • a* = "a" at start

      • *b = "b" at end

Wild cards and regular expressions in Excel and Google Sheets

Wild cards and regular expressions
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