I have been using the following to count the number of occurances of the word
"Vacant" in several ranges of cells:
=SUM(COUNTIF($B$8:$B$55,"Vacant"))+(COUNTIF($J$8:$ J$55,"Vacant"))+(COUNTIF($R$8:$R$55,"Vacant"))

However, now I would like to count the number of occurances beginning with
"Vacant" in several ranges of cells. I just cannot seem to get my arms
around how to introduce the LEFT command into this formula.

Any assistance is very much appreciated.