I want to use the countif function (or another that i may not be aware of) to
count a certain number of things.. but the problem is i have many things i
want it to count and the excel wizard does not let me add another argument,
it appears the countif formula is just range and criteria with no additional
extras. If this is the case that an additional argument cannot be added is
there another way to do the below?

(without explaining what the below means) here it is what i am wanting some
excel function (be it a macro or formula) to do:

A large spreadsheet containing masses of data is used to analyse certain
numbers for things. The spreadsheet is divided out by line of service for
company and how many people work in each line of service. Each line of
service is acronymed:

GTS - INDIA, GTS - NEN, GTS - NEC, GTS - NES, GTS etc and this is not the
end. it continues with a few more GTS.. and then also includes many other
acronymed line of services. i want to use an excel function that will count
the number of people in each line of service.

Heres the problem: because the acronymed line of service name is not just
GTS (bar one) but contains an additional few letters (as above) depending on
region i cant seem to use the countif funtion to count everything above. the
countif formula seems to just say "what is the criteria" so i put in GTS but
this will obviously bring back everything just containing GTS and not GTS
INDIA, GTS NEN etc. how do i do the formula/macro so that it can count
everything i.e i should be able to say 'if includes' the letters GTS (so
should bring back everything) as opposed to '=GTS' which only brings back GTS.

Also is there a way to specify a date range within the formula? for example,
i just want to know the number of people in all the different GTS fields in
jan, feb etc.

sorry about the long message. any help would be much appreciated.