Try it this way:

=countif(A2:A5, "*"&B1&"*")

Hope this helps.

Pete

On Dec 8, 9:05*am, "Kent" wrote:
Dear all,

I have a table

A * * * * * * * * * * *B
* * * * * * * * * * * * SD
ASDFG
SDFTY
WREGD
UJHDSD

I want to count the no. of appearance of the text at B1 in column A, in this
case, is 3. The formula is *=countif(A2:A5, "*SD*").

However as the text "SD" would be changed all the time, I have tried the
formula =countif(A2:A5, "*(B1)*"), but it fails.

What should the formula please.

Kent