Try:

=IF(B2="","",B2-SUMPRODUCT(--($A$2:$A$9=A2),--(($B$2:$B$9=""))))

or

=IF(B2="","",B2-SUMPRODUCT(--($A$2:$A$9=A2),--(ISBLANK(($B$2:$B$9)))))

HTH

"SteveC" wrote:


RankA RankB
Apples 3 1
Apples
Apples 5 3
Apples 4 2
Apples
Pears
Pears 2 1
Pears 3 2

The Column RankB is counting the number of blank cells for all Apples, and
subracting that number from the column labled RankA. Any clue as to the
right formula? Thanks..