try
=SUMPRODUCT(--(TRIM(I1:I100)="a"))
--
Don Guillett
SalesAid Software

"Vegs" wrote in message
...
Why can't I detect, using the "countif" function, specific text in a
column?
This specific text also cannot be centered directly in the center of the
cell. The spreadsheet was created using a separate program which extracts
data from an AS400 program. I can detect text which has been retyped into
this spreadsheet. The retyped text can also be centered properly.