=sumproduct() sounds like something you should look into:

=sumproduct(--(a1:a10="criteria"),--(b1:b10=""))

Adjust the range, but don't use the whole column.

=sumproduct() likes to work with numbers. The -- stuff changes trues and falses
to 1's and 0's.

Bob Phillips explains =sumproduct() in much more detail he
http://www.xldynamic.com/source/xld.SUMPRODUCT.html

And J.E. McGimpsey has some notes at:
http://mcgimpsey.com/excel/formulae/doubleneg.html

ArthurN wrote:

Hi,
sumif(range,criteria,sum_range) is a very nice function. Is there any way I
can achieve similar result with some count function, something like
countblank(range, on_condition, countblank_range)?
ArthurN

PS countif seems a bit limiting, or is it not?

--

Dave Peterson