Count if cells start with 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 if cells start with a specific text in Excel

How to count if cells start with specific text in Excel?
Count if cells start with 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 if cells start with a specific text in Google Sheets

How to count if cells start with specific text in Google Sheets?
Count if cells start with specific text in 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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