Your data extract from the AS400 either has extra spaces or extra non-printing characters. Using
TRIM may work, or using

=COUNTIF(A:A,"*text to find*")

may also work.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"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.