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Add Values in Excel in Columns that Contain Text

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This tip will explain how to use the IF function on Microsoft Excel to add values in a column that also contain text.

Sum Values in Columns that Contain Text

For this example, let's assume you'd like to add up the number of rows that contain the word ball: 
[Column A]  
Red Ball  
Blue Ball  
Chair  
Pencil  
Blue Ball 

[Column B]  
2  
3  
4  
1  
2


By applying the comparative IF function, you will specify that if column A contains the specified word, the numbers in column B should be added together: 
=SUMIF(A:A,"*Ball",B:B)

The resulting output of this formula should be 7.
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