When your list has many formulas, or if a cell in the list is changed
after a filter has been applied, the Status Bar may show "Filter Mode"
instead of a count of the visible records. You can use the Subtotal
function to count the visible rows.

The following MSKB article has information:

XL2000: Excel AutoFilter Status Bar Message Shows "Filter Mode"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=213886

And there are a couple of workarounds he
http://www.contextures.com/xlautofilter02.html#Count


hiTraveler wrote:
In some files, the # of rows returned from a filter operation appears in the
far left corner of status bar, in some files the words "Filter Mode" appears
in that spot. In both cases, I have right-clicked on the status bar and
chosen "Count". How do I make the # appear, not "Filter Mode"? Excel 2002,
SP3.


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html