=sum(Jan:Mar!$b3) works fine. Why can't I use this same 3d reference with
the countif option. The values in the cells are all numbers - but I receive a
#value error.

Not all functions support 3D ranges. COUNTIF doesn't.


I
"Puzzler" wrote in message
...
=sum(Jan:Mar!$b3) works fine. Why can't I use this same 3d
reference with
the countif option. The values in the cells are all numbers -
but I receive a
#value error.

Puzzler wrote...
=sum(Jan:Mar!$b3) works fine. Why can't I use this same 3d reference with
the countif option. The values in the cells are all numbers - but I receive a
#value error.

Because Microsoft wasn't sufficiently passionate about this aspect of
your potential.

You'll need to use a list of worksheet names, ideally referring to it
using a defined name like WSLst. For your sample formula above, you
could define WSLst as ={"Jan";"Feb";"Mar"} and use a formula like

=SUMPRODUCT(COUNTIF(INDIRECT("'"&WSLst&"'!B3"),<wh atever))