One way:

=SUMPRODUCT(--(A1:A100="open"),--(B1:B100="i"))

For an explanation of "--" see
http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/doubleneg.html

In article ,
"Bruce" wrote:

I am having trouble with the syntax here nested functions - this is what I am
attempting to do

countif(a1:a100='open' and b1:b100='i')