Counting characters in multiple rows when rows meet specific criteria

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Hi can anyone help with what seems a simple task that I can't fathom. I want
to count characters in rows if the row starts with a certain inital in the
first columb:

a x x x
b x x x x
c x x x x x
a x x x
b x
c x x x x x


So what is the total number of "x" in rows begining with "b"

I thought it would be simple but I cant work out can someone help at all,

thanks

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

Assuming the data starts in A1, that the last possible column that can
contain data is K (just to have an ending column to refer to in the formula;
change to suit your conditions) and the the maximum row where you could have
data is 100 (again, change to suit your conditions)...

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A100="a")*(B1:K100="x"))

Rick

 

[T. Valko]

So what is the total number of "x" in rows begining with "b"

5

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A6="B")*(B1:F6="X"))

 

[Martin]

Thanks Rick and Biff very much appreciated

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A100="a")*(B1:K100="x"))

=SUMPRODUCT((A1:A6="B")*(B1:F6="X"))

I can get on again now

thanks