On Mar 7, 4:01 pm, "Max" wrote:
Refinement, closer interp on this line does not include the word "bob" ..

implies that "bob" could be part of a text string in col B

Try in D2:
=SUMPRODUCT((A2:A10="Fred")*(ISERROR(SEARCH("bob", B2:B10))*((C2:C10="AA")+(C2:C10=""))))
--
Max
Singaporehttp://savefile.com/projects/236895
xdemechanik
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Max
Thanks for you advice, and yes your interpretation was correct, it
works a treat and does not count any appearance of the word "bob" as
part of a text string. It still does not count blanks in column C. Any
further advice gratefully received

Paul