Hi

I have used the countA function in data validation in order that, from
a range of cells only one option can be slected using "x". If they try
to select more than one option an error meeasge is displayed. This works
fine, however I now need to use this same formula on a subsequent range
which contains empty string "". Obviously CountA counts this therefore
no option can be selected.

Is there a way for the formula to ignore ""?

The formula I have used in Data, Validation, Custom is:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)=1

Please help!

Many thanks

Laura;)


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Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls).. so should work as is.

If you mean blanks (as in space bar used in the cell) then try:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)-COUNTIF($G$5:$G$7," ")=1


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NBVC;442155 Wrote:
Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls).. so should work as is.

If you mean blanks (as in space bar used in the cell) then try:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)-COUNTIF($G$5:$G$7," ")=1

Thank you so much this works, only had to get rid of the space between
" " as didn't work fist time round but really appreciate your speedy
repsonse...wish I asked 2 hours ago instead of trying to work it out
(unsuccessfully) for myself!!

Thanks

Laura:BgrBg:)


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lauraroebuck;442160 Wrote:
Thank you so much this works, only had to get rid of the space between "
" as didn't work fist time round but really appreciate your speedy
repsonse...wish I asked 2 hours ago instead of trying to work it out
(unsuccessfully) for myself!!

Thanks

Laura:Bg:)

Glad we could be of help!


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If the value you are checking for is "x" then try this

=COUNTIF(G$5:G$7,"x")=1

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Cheers,
Shane Devenshire


"lauraroebuck" wrote:


Hi

I have used the countA function in data validation in order that, from
a range of cells only one option can be slected using "x". If they try
to select more than one option an error meeasge is displayed. This works
fine, however I now need to use this same formula on a subsequent range
which contains empty string "". Obviously CountA counts this therefore
no option can be selected.

Is there a way for the formula to ignore ""?

The formula I have used in Data, Validation, Custom is:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)=1

Please help!

Many thanks

Laura;)


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Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls)

What do you consider to be an empty string?

A1: ="" (empty string)
A2: x
A3: <empty

=COUNTA(A1:A3)

=2

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Microsoft Excel MVP


"NBVC" wrote in message
...

Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls).. so should work as is.

If you mean blanks (as in space bar used in the cell) then try:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)-COUNTIF($G$5:$G$7," ")=1


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T. Valko;442685 Wrote:
Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls)

What do you consider to be an empty string?

A1: ="" (empty string)
A2: x
A3: <empty

=COUNTA(A1:A3)

=2

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"NBVC" wrote in message
...

Counta() doesn't count empty strings (nulls).. so should work as is.

If you mean blanks (as in space bar used in the cell) then try:

=COUNTA(G$5:G$7)-COUNTIF($G$5:$G$7," ")=1


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I guess I meant as per A3... but looks like OP has A1.


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