Attempting to count instances of a word in a column

[CaydeFinley]

So, I found other posts that sound like they’re trying to do the same thing, but trying to copy/paste their solved formula and changing the word(s) to what I’m searching for just results in “0” when that isn’t possible. Obviously, something’s not quite right, but I have no idea how to use these formulas and I can’t find a straightforward explanation on any of them.

Here’s exactly what I’m trying to do, as plainly as I can put it:

I’m attempting to search two columns, 350 rows (B2-B350, C2-C350) for specific words, with the output being put into a specific cell (F2). I’ll end up needing to do this 18 separate times for different words into their own cell for each word.

I appreciate your time, and I thank you for any help you are able to give me.

[LeroyG]

• Ctrl+F2 or
• choose COUNTIF
• select or write B2:C350
• write the word to search between double quotation marks
  
  
• OK
  COUNTIF_cat.ods (10.9 KB)

Variant with the criteria in a different cell:

You can drag down cell F2 from the fill handle (in the right-down corner of active cell).
Notice the $ symbols in the range value.

[CaydeFinley]

Thank you very much, LeroyG, this was exactly what I needed!

I greatly appreciate the step-by-step instructions as well!