Probably the easiest way would be to create a "master, unique" list of all
available meals, say in Column C.
Then, with names and choices filling A1 to B100, try this in D1:

=Countif(B1:B100,C1)

And copy down as needed.
--
HTH,

RD

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Please keep all correspondence within the NewsGroup, so all may benefit !
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"Ray" <I ate wrote in message
...
I have a spreadsheet that has column A with names, column B with their
choice of meal.
Example:
A B
John Steak
Bill Chicken
Joe Salmon
May Steak
Jean Chicken
What I want to do is count how many of each dish are required (how many
steaks, chickens to order)
Can someone please show me the formula?
Thanks