Try the below formula in B2 and copy down as required
=COUNTIF(C$2:C2,C2)

'OR to handle blanks try the below
=IF(C2<"",COUNTIF(C$2:C2,C2),"")

If this post helps click Yes
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Jacob Skaria


"ghcajo" wrote:

can a formula be made to do the following:
if a line item has the same name in column C then add 1 to column B
i.e.
the count column is generated depending on the name field
date count name address
oct-1 1 bob 123 first st
oct 1 1 john 789 ave a
oct 5 1 ed 456 main st
oct 3 2 bob 123 first st
oct 2 1 bill 81 second st
oct 2 3 bob 123 first st