countif function question

[dveenhuis]

I have a basic knowledge of countif but I am trying to use it to count if a
value is contained in the cell instead of equals the cell value.
Example
I would like to count the number of occurences of the phrase " blue book" in
the range below

blue book
blue book, red shoe, yellow car
blue book, brown box

 

[Mike H]

Will the phrase 'blue book' always be on the left of the cell?

Mike

 

[Teethless mama]

=COUNTIF(A:A,"*blue book*")

 

[Adnan]

I love you Teethless mama, and your formula. You are a life saver!