John.

try this

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A20="Y")*(B1:B20="A"))
--
Mike

When competing hypotheses are otherwise equal, adopt the hypothesis that
introduces the fewest assumptions while still sufficiently answering the
question.


"John" wrote:

In column A I have set of characters that are entered into the rows below
(i.e. Y, N, MRO) in column B I have another set of characters that are
entered into the rows below (i.e. A, E, on so on). I want to count the
instances when the rows in Column A contain a Y and the rows in column B
contain an A. Is there an simple formula for doing this? Any help will be
appreciated.
--
John