Assuming your postcodes are in column G, then you could put this
formula in an adjacent column (eg H2):

=LEFT(G2,FIND(" ",G2))

and copy down. This will give you the first part of the postcode - up
to and including the space.

Then with a separate list of those partial postcodes (including the
space), say in column P, you could have this formula in column Q:

=COUNTIF(H:H,P2)

and then copy this down. I've assumed that row 1 is used for headers.

You can use Advanced Filter to obtain a unique list of partial
postcodes.

Hope this helps.

Pete


On Feb 27, 12:13*am, Michael
wrote:
I have a large mailing (23,000 pieces) and I have to know how many people I
am mailing to in a particular post code zone.

For example I have postcodes with a prefix ranging from 2 to 4 characters
followed by a further 3 characters (a standard UK postal format)

L1 6TY
L14 8GR
CH42 7TR

I need to count the number of occurrences of L1 (remembering that L14 also
may get counted which should not happen), Then I would need a count for all
L14 and CH42 and all the other Post codes.

can anyone please help

thank you in advance

Michael