You could use a helper column and convert the letter grades to numbers.
Say if in column A1:A9 you had your grades (a,b,c,d,f). In cell b1
enter:

=IF(A1="a",1,IF(A1="b",2,IF(A1="c",3,IF(A1="d",4,I F(A1="f",5)))))

You can then drag this down in your range.

In C1:C5 type 1-5 in ascending order. (1 representing a and so on).

Select cells E1:E5 and type in this formula and commit with
Ctrl-Shift-Enter:

=FREQUENCY(B1:B9,C1:C5)



Cheers,

Steve


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