📎 This article includes 1 downloadable practice file ↓
In this article
DCOUNT counts numeric cells in a column for matching rows. Use DCOUNTA to count any non-blank cell instead.
Syntax
=DCOUNT(database, field, criteria)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
criteria |
A small criteria range: header row copied from the data, conditions in the rows below. Same row = AND, separate rows = OR. |
Examples
Example 1
=DCOUNT(A1:F500, "Amount", H1:H2)Orders with an amount, for the condition in H2 (e.g. >50000).
DCOUNT in practice
Where you will use it
- Count records meeting editable criteria
- Database-style reports
- AND/OR criteria tables
Worked example
Database H1:J6 (Region, Customer, Sales: North 12000, South 8000, North 15000, West 22000, South 9000) with three criteria blocks.
| Case | Criteria | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region = North | =IFERROR(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A2,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 2 |
| 2 | Sales > 10000 | =IFERROR(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A3,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 3 |
| 3 | North OR South | =IFERROR(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)),"error: "&ERROR.TYPE(DCOUNT(DB,"Sales",CHOOSE(A4,CritA,CritB,CritC)))) | 4 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Counting text fields | DCOUNT counts numbers; DCOUNTA counts any entry |
| Blank criteria row | Matches everything |
Related functions
📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.
Test formulas dynamically in our web formula laboratory or download the companion Excel workbook.
📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Database (D…) functions6 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 33 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
Stuck on a step? Ask a question and the AI answers using this article.