=countif(indirect("m6:M" & a1),"ION")
or
=countif(m6:indirect("M" & a1),"ION")

In the second one, the m6 will adjust if you copy the formula.

Mitchell wrote:

When defining a range can you use a reference instead of the actual value?

countif(m6:m429,"ION")

Can I replace the 429 with a reference to a cell containing the 429?

--

Dave Peterson